Mice lacking DYRK2 exhibit congenital malformations with lung hypoplasia and altered Foxf1 expression gradient

Congenital malformations cause life-threatening diseases in pediatrics, yet the molecular mechanism of organogenesis is poorly understood. Here we show that Dyrk2 -deficient mice display congenital malformations in multiple organs. Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular pathology of Dyrk2 -deficient mice, particularly with respect to Foxf1 reduction. Mutant pups exhibit sudden death soon after birth due to respiratory failure. Detailed analyses of primordial lungs at the early developmental stage demonstrate that Dyrk2 deficiency leads to altered airway branching and insufficient alveolar development. Furthermore, the Foxf1 expression gradient in mutant lung mesenchyme is disrupted, reducing Foxf1 target genes, which are necessary for proper airway and alveolar development. In ex vivo lung culture system, we rescue the expression of Foxf1 and its target genes in Dyrk2 -deficient lung by restoring Shh signaling activity. Taken together, we demonstrate that Dyrk2 is essential for embryogenesis and its disruption results in congenital malformation. Yogosawa et al find that mice lacking the Dyrk2 kinase display congenital malformations in multiple organs and die from respiratory failure associated with disrupted lung mesenchyme and reduced expression of Foxf1. Using an ex vivo lung culture system, they rescue the expression of Foxf1 and its target by restoring Shh signalling, altogether providing insights into Dyrk2 function.