Ciliopathies are developmental disorders caused by mutations in components of the primary cilium (a microtubule-based mechanosensor organelle present in many mammalian cells), and are usually characterised by multi-organ abnormalities. Congenital lung malformation (pulmonary hypoplasia) often occurs, and is considered the leading cause of death in Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS), a lethal ciliopathy associated with mutations in the transmembrane protein 67 gene, Tmem67. To investigate mechanisms of pulmonary hypoplasia in MKS, Colin A. Johnson's group characterised Tmem67−/− knockout mutant mice and used biochemical methods to further elucidate TMEM67 function. The group found that TMEM67 interacts with Wnt5a and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2), two components of non-canonical Wnt signalling. Tmem67−/− embryos and pups manifest pulmonary hypoplasia phenotypes and, consistent with other available data, these are mediated by mutations of any component in the Wnt5a-TMEM67-ROR2 axis. Interestingly, pharmacological targeting of downstream effectors of this axis is able to rescue pulmonary abnormalities in cultured lungs from Tmem67−/− mice. These results implicate the dysregulation of the Wnt5a-TMEM67-ROR2 axis in ciliopathies and suggest that its downstream modulation can prevent pulmonary hypoplasia in these diseases. Page 527
Elucidating pulmonary hypoplasia in ciliopathies
Elucidating pulmonary hypoplasia in ciliopathies. Dis Model Mech 1 June 2015; 8 (6): e0602. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
DMM Journal Meeting 2023: Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens

The abstract submission deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens’ is 14 July 2023. Find out more and register here.
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Disease Models & Mechanisms a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025

Do you have an idea for a Workshop? If so, click here. We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South country to host an event overseas.
How stromal cells restrict liver cancer invasion

In our recent editor’s choice, Liqin Zhu and colleagues describe how they used in vitro liver spheroid models consisting of both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells to reveal a hepatoprotective role for peritumoral hepatic stellate cells in liver tumorigenesis.
And from perspective… Hacking haematopoiesis – emerging tools for examining variant effects

Thousands of genomic loci have been linked to hematopoietic traits and diseases, yet many await functional validation. Michael Gundry and Vijay G. Sankaran discuss recent advances in genome editing and the challenges associated with using these techniques to assess variant function in primary hematopoietic cells.
Other journals from
The Company of Biologists