Role of transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β in polycystic kidney disease

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) is a DNA-binding transcription factor that is essential for normal kidney development. Mutations of HNF1B in humans produce cystic kidney diseases, including renal cysts and diabetes, multicystic dysplastic kidneys, glomerulocystic kidney disease, and autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease. Expression of HNF1B is reduced in cystic kidneys from humans with ADPKD, and HNF1B has been identified as a modifier gene in PKD. Genome-wide analysis of chromatin binding has revealed that HNF-1β directly regulates the expression of known PKD genes, such as PKHD1 and PKD2, as well as genes involved in PKD pathogenesis, including cAMP-dependent signaling, renal fibrosis, and Wnt signaling. In addition, a role of HNF-1β in regulating the expression of noncoding RNAs (microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs) has been identified. These findings indicate that HNF-1β regulates a transcriptional and post-transcriptional network that plays a central role in renal cystogenesis.