Unraveling the roles of Mast4 in amelogenesis via regulating DLX3 and stem cell maintenance of mouse incisors

Asymmetric division of stem cells allows for maintenance of the cell population and differentiation for harmonious progress. Developing mouse incisors allows for examination of how the stem cell niche employs specific insights into essential phases. Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase family member 4 (Mast4) knockout (KO) mice showed abnormal incisor development with weak hardness as the apical bud was reduced and preameloblasts were shifted to the apical side, resulting in Amelogenesis Imperfecta. In addition, Mast4 KO incisors showed abnormal enamel maturation, and stem cell maintenance was inhibited as amelogenesis accelerated. Distal-Less Homeobox 3 (DLX3), known to be a critical factor Tricho-Dento-Osseous (TDO) syndrome, is considered to be responsible for Amelogenesis Imperfecta in humans. MAST4 directly binds to DLX3 and induces phosphorylation at three residues within the nuclear localization sites (NLS) that promote the nuclear translocation of DLX3. MAST4-mediated phosphorylation of DLX3 ultimately controls the transcription of DLX3 target genes, which are carbonic anhydrase and ion transporter genes involved in the pH regulation process during ameloblast maturation. Taken together, our data reveal a novel role of MAST4 as a critical regulator of ameloblast maturation, which controls DLX3 transcriptional activity.