NEDL2 is an essential regulator of enteric neural development and GDNF/Ret signaling

Although glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)/Ret signaling is essential for enteric nervous system (ENS) development, the positive regulators regulating GDNF/Ret signaling and controlling ENS development are poorly understood. Here, we show that Nedd4-related E3 ubiquitin ligase-2 (NEDL2) plays an essential and positive physiological role in regulating ENS development and GDNF/Ret signaling. All of the NEDL2-deficient mice die within 2 weeks after birth, showing low body weight. These mice showed a progressive bowel motility defect resulting from intestinal aganglionosis. We show that NEDL2 positively regulates enteric neural precursor proliferation through the GDNF/Akt signaling pathway. Together, these findings unveil the physiological function of NEDL2 in vivo.