In vivo inactivation of MASTL kinase results in thrombocytopenia

Objective. A missense mutation in the microtubule-associated serine/threonine-like kinase gene (MASTL, FLJ14813) on human chromosome 10 was previously linked to a novel form of autosomal dominant inherited thrombocytopenia in a single pedigree. The mutation results in in amino acid change from glutamic acid at position 167 to aspartic acid and segregates perfectly, with thrombocytopenic individuals within this extended family. The phenotype is characterized by mild thrombocytopenia with an average platelet count of 60,000 platelets per microliter of blood. We wanted to determine the expression and localization of MASTL, as well as its role in developing thrombocytes using all in vivo model system. Materials and Methods. Northern blot analysis allowed us to examine expression patterns. Morpholino knockdown assays in zebralish (Danio rerio) were employed to determine in vivo contribution to thrombocyte development. Transient expression in baby baluster kidney cells resulted in localization of both the wild-type and E167D mutant forms of MASTL, kinase to the nucleus. Results. Northern blot analysis indicates that MASTL messenger RNA is restricted in its expression to hematopoietic and cancer cell lines. A transient knockdown of MASTL in zebrafish results in deficiency of circulating thrombocytes. Transient expression of recombinant MASTL kinase in vitro demonstrates localization to the nucleus. Conclusions. Functional studies presented here demonstrate a direct relationship between transient knockdown of MASTL kinase gene expression and reduction of circulating thrombocytes in zebrafish. This transient knockdown of MASTL. in zebralish correlates with a decrease in the expression of the thrombopoietin receptor, c-mpl, and the CD41 platelet adhesion protein, GpIIb, but has no effect oil essential housekeeping zebralish gene, EF1 alpha. (9) 2009 ISEH - Society for Hematology and Stem Cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.