Aberrant binding of mutant HSP47 affects posttranslational modification of type I collagen and leads to osteogenesis imperfecta

We report a homozygous p.(R222S) substitution in HSP47 in a child with severe osteogenesis imperfecta leading to early demise. p.R222 is a highly conserved residue located within the collagen interacting surface of HSP47. Binding assays show a significantly reduced affinity of HSP47-R222S for type I collagen. This altered interaction leads to posttranslational overmodification of type I collagen produced by dermal fibroblasts, with increased glycosylation and/or hydroxylation of lysine and proline residues as shown by mass spectrometry. Since we also observed a normal intracellular folding and secretion rate of type I collagen, this overmodification cannot be explained by prolonged exposure of the collagen molecules to the modifying hydroxyl- and glycosyltransferases, as is commonly observed in other types of OI. We found significant upregulation of several molecular chaperones and enzymes involved in procollagen modification and folding on Western blot and RT-qPCR. In addition, we showed that an imbalance in binding of HSP47-R222S to unfolded type I collagen chains in a gelatin sepharose pulldown assay results in increased binding of other chaperones and modifying enzymes. The elevated expression and binding of this molecular ensemble to type I collagen suggests a compensatory mechanism for the aberrant binding of HSP47-R222S, eventually leading to overmodification of type I collagen chains. Together, these results illustrate the importance of HSP47 for proper posttranslatio...
Source: PLoS Genetics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Source Type: research