Stk38 Modulates Rbm24 Protein Stability to Regulate Sarcomere Assembly in Cardiomyocytes

RNA-binding protein Rbm24 is a key regulator of heart development and required for sarcomere assembly and heart contractility. Yet, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we link serine/threonine kinase 38 (Stk38) signaling to the regulation of Rbm24 by showing that Rbm24 phosphorylation and its function could be modulated by Stk38. Using co-immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry technique, we identified Stk38 as an endogenous binding partner of Rbm24. Stk38 knockdown resulted in decreased Rbm24 protein level in cardiomyocytes. Further studies using Stk38 kinase inhibitor or activator showed that Rbm24 protein stability was regulated in a kinase activity-dependent manner. Deficiency of Stk38 caused reduction of sarcomere proteins and disarrangement of sarcomere, suggesting that Stk38 is essential for Rbm24 to regulate sarcomere assembly. Our results revealed that Stk38 kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of Rbm24 during sarcomerogensis and this orchestrates accurate sarcomere alignment. This furthers our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of cardiac sarcomere assembly in both physiologic and pathologic contexts, and uncovers a potential novel pathway to cardiomyopathy through modulating the Stk38/Rbm24 protein activity.