MAST1 modulates neuronal differentiation and cell cycle exit via P27 in neuroblastoma cells

Although 19p13.13 microdeletion syndrome has been consistently associated with intellectual disability, overgrowth, and macrocephaly, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MAST1, a member of the microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase family, has been suggested as a potential candidate gene responsible for neurologic abnormalities in 19p13.13 microdeletion syndrome, but its role in nervous system development remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated how MAST1 contributes to neuronal development. We report that MAST1 is upregulated during neuronal differentiation of the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y. Inhibition of MAST1 expression by RNA interference attenuated neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells. Cell cycle analyses revealed that MAST1-depleted cells did not undergo cell cycle arrest after RA treatment. Consistent with this observation, the number of EdU-positive cells significantly increased in MAST1 knockdown cells. Intriguingly, levels of P27, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, were also increased during neuronal differentiation, and MAST1 knockdown reduced the expression of P27. Moreover, reduced neuronal differentiation caused by MAST1 depletion was rescued partially by P27 overexpression in SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, these results suggest that MAST1 influences nervous system development by affecting neuronal differentiation through P27.