A postzygotic GNA13 variant upregulates the RHOA/ROCK pathway and alters melanocyte function in a mosaic skin hypopigmentation syndrome

Abstract

The genetic bases of mosaic pigmentation disorders have increasingly been identified, but these conditions remain poorly characterised, and their pathophysiology is unclear. Here, we report in four unrelated patients that a recurrent postzygotic mutation in GNA13 is responsible for a recognizable syndrome with hypomelanosis of Ito associated with developmental anomalies. GNA13 encodes Galpha13, a subunit of alpha-beta-gamme heterotrimeric G proteins coupled to specific transmembrane receptors known as G-protein coupled receptors. In-depth functional investigations revealed that this R200K mutation provides a gain of function to Galpha13. Mechanistically, we show that this variant hyperactivates the RHOA/ROCK signalling pathway that consequently increases actin polymerisation and myosin light chains phosphorylation, and promotes melanocytes rounding. Our results also indicate that R200K Galpha13 hyperactivates the YAP signalling pathway. All these changes appear to affect cell migration and adhesion but not the proliferation. Our results suggest that hypopigmentation can result from a defect in melanosome transfer to keratinocytes due to cell shape alterations. These findings highlight the interaction between heterotrimeric G proteins and the RHOA pathway, and their role in melanocyte function.