The Ufm1 system is upregulated by ER stress during osteogenic differentiation

ObjectiveMutations in the catalytic site of the ubiquitin-fold modifier 1(UFM1)-specific peptidase 2 (UFSP2) gene have been identified to cause autosomal dominant Beukes hip dysplasia in a large multigenerational family and a novel form of autosomal dominant spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia in a second family. We investigated the expression of the UFSP2/UFM1 system during mouse joint development the connection to ER stress induced during osteogenic differentiation.\n\nMethodsThe pattern of expression of Ufsp2 was determined by radioactive RNA in situ hybridisation on mouse tissue sections. qPCR was used to monitor expression during in vitro osteogenic differentiation and chemically induced ER stress. Affinity purification and mass spectrometry was used for isolation and identification of Ufm1 conjugation targets. Luciferase reporter assay was used to investigate the activity of Ufm1 system genes promoters.\n\nResultsWe found that Ufsp2 was predominantly expressed in the bone and secondary ossification centres of 10-day old mice. The Ufm1 system was upregulated during in vitro osteogenic differentiation and in response to chemically induced ER stress. We identified unfolded protein response elements in the upstream sequences of Uba5, Ufl1, Ufm1and Lzap. We identified putative Ufm1 conjugation targets where conjugation was increased in response to ER stress.\n\nConclusionHigher expression of Ufsp2 in bone and secondary ossification centres as well as upregulation of components of the Ufm1system in response to ER stress suggests that the molecular pathway between the UFSP2 mutations and form of skeletal dysplasia may relate to abnormal ER stress responses during osteoblast differentiation.