The WDR12 gene resides on chromosome 2 at the band 2q33.2 and includes 13 exons.
Protein
WDR12 is a member of the WD repeat WDR12/YTM1 family and contains 7 WD repeats. Each WD repeat typically contains a C-terminal tryptophan-aspartic acid dipeptide and an N-terminal glycine-histidine dipeptide. Disruption of these 7 WD repeats tampers with the predicted propeller-like structure formed and, consequently, its nucleolarlocalization. At the N-terminus of WDR12 lies a ubiquitin-like domain, which contains β-grasp fold similar to that found in ubiquitin. The UBL domain binds the motor protein midasin and facilitates release of the PeBoW complex, which is composed of WDR12, Pescadillo 1, and Block of proliferation 1, from pre-ribosomal particles.
Function
The WDR12 gene is ubiquitously expressed during embryogenesis, and high levels are found in the thymus and testis of adult mice. It is a crucial factor in the mammalian ribosome biogenesis pathway that forms a stable complex named PeboW with Pes1 and Bop1. WDR12 is required for processing of the 32S precursor rRNA without affecting the synthesis of the 45S/47S primary transcript and it functions in the maturation of the 60S ribosomal subunit. Depletion of WDR12 severely inhibits cell proliferation. It is observed that WDR12 siRNA silencing in vitro resulted in decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, HSP27, and ERK1/2 in neonatal myocytes, which may partially elucidate the mechanistic role of WDR12 in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Given the evidence of in vitro binding of WDR12 to the cytoplasmic domain of Notch1, it is postulated that WDR12 also functions in the modulation of Notch signaling activity.
Clinical significance
In humans, a large genome-wide association study identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms that were reproducible and strongly associated with a risk for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. In this large genetic study, a total of 46 genomic loci were linked to variations in susceptibility to coronary artery disease. Within the 46 genome-wide SNPs, 12 indicated an association with a lipid levels and 5 showed significant association with high blood pressure. Accordingly, one of the most strongly associated variants was located on the WDR12 locus, which was also initially associated with the risk of early-onset myocardial infarction. However, its exact cellular and functional role in the heart is still being identified.
Biomarker
The expression of WDR12 in the rat heart and the human heart was studied using WDR12 gene delivery to examine the direct functional and structural effects of WDR12 on cardiac maladaptive remodeling, in particular the left ventricle. This recent study revealed that overexpression of WDR12 by gene delivery could deteriorate both systolic and diastolic function of the rat heart. Likewise, subsequent analysis of a cohort of 1400 human subjects corroborated that the WDR12 variant was associated with diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, a multi-locus genetic risk score study, based on a combination of 27 loci including the WDR12 gene, identified individuals at increased risk for both incidence and recurrent coronary artery disease events, as well as an enhanced clinical benefit from statin therapy. The study was based on a community cohort study and four additional randomized controlled trials of primary prevention cohorts and secondary prevention cohorts.
