Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase mutations cause primary adrenal insufficiency and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

J Clin Invest. 2017 Mar 1;127(3):942-953. doi: 10.1172/JCI90171. Epub 2017 Feb 6.

Abstract

Primary adrenal insufficiency is life threatening and can present alone or in combination with other comorbidities. Here, we have described a primary adrenal insufficiency syndrome and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SGPL1). SGPL1 executes the final decisive step of the sphingolipid breakdown pathway, mediating the irreversible cleavage of the lipid-signaling molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Mutations in other upstream components of the pathway lead to harmful accumulation of lysosomal sphingolipid species, which are associated with a series of conditions known as the sphingolipidoses. In this work, we have identified 4 different homozygous mutations, c.665G>A (p.R222Q), c.1633_1635delTTC (p.F545del), c.261+1G>A (p.S65Rfs*6), and c.7dupA (p.S3Kfs*11), in 5 families with the condition. In total, 8 patients were investigated, some of whom also manifested other features, including ichthyosis, primary hypothyroidism, neurological symptoms, and cryptorchidism. Sgpl1-/- mice recapitulated the main characteristics of the human disease with abnormal adrenal and renal morphology. Sgpl1-/- mice displayed disrupted adrenocortical zonation and defective expression of steroidogenic enzymes as well as renal histology in keeping with a glomerular phenotype. In summary, we have identified SGPL1 mutations in humans that perhaps represent a distinct multisystemic disorder of sphingolipid metabolism.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / enzymology
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / congenital*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / enzymology
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / genetics
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / pathology
  • Aldehyde-Lyases / genetics*
  • Aldehyde-Lyases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homozygote*
  • Humans
  • INDEL Mutation*
  • Kidney / enzymology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / enzymology
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / genetics*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Aldehyde-Lyases
  • sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (aldolase)

Supplementary concepts

  • Adrenal Insufficiency, Congenital