Transcription factor HNF1b controls a transcriptional network regulating kidney cell structure and tight junction integrity

Genetic defects in transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1β cause a heterogeneous disease characterized by electrolyte disturbances, kidney cysts, and diabetes. By combining RNA-sequencing and HNF1β chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing data, we identified new HNF1β targets that were enriched for cell polarity pathways. Newly discovered targets included members of polarity complexes Crb3, Pard6b, and Llgl2. Functional assays in kidney epithelial cells demonstrated decreased tight junction integrity and a loss of typical cuboidal morphology in mutant Hnf1b cells.