Ano5 Mutation Leads to Bone Dysfunction of Gnathodiaphyseal Dysplasia via Disturbing Akt Signaling

Background Gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia (GDD) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by osteosclerosis of the tubular bones and cemento-osseous lesions of the mandibles. Anoctamin 5 ( ANO5 ) is the pathogenic gene, however, the specific molecular mechanism of GDD remains unclear. Herein, a knockin ( Ano5 ^KI/KI ) mouse model expressing the human mutation p.Cys360Tyr was used to investigate the role of Akt signaling in enhanced osteogenesis and decreased osteoclastogenesis in GDD. Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and mouse calvarial osteoblasts (mCOBs) were isolated from homozygous Ano5 ^KI/KI mice and treated with SC79, a specific Akt activator. The differentiation and F-actin ring formation of osteoclasts were examined by TRAP and phalloidin staining, respectively. Osteoblast differentiation and mineralization were examined by ALP and alizarin red staining. The expression of bone remodeling-related factors was measured by qRT-PCR. Results Akt activation promoted the generation of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts and the formation of actin rings in Ano5 ^KI/KI BMMs cultures, accompanied by increased expression of Nfatc1 , Trap , Dc-stamp , Mmp9 , Ctsk , and Atp6v0d2 . Additionally, Ano5 ^Cys360Tyr mutation down-regulated the Akt phosphorylation level in osteoblast. ALP activity and matrix mineralization capacity in Ano5 ^KI/KI osteoblast cultures were inhibited after SC79 stimulation, with reduced expression of Runx2, Opn, Col1a1 , and Ocn . Conclusion Akt activation by SC79 stimulation can obviously rescue abnormal increased osteogenesis and decreased osteoclastogenesis in Ano5 ^KI/KI mouse model, which demonstrated that disturbed Akt signaling pathway may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of GDD, and an Akt activator is probable a therapeutic target for GDD.