GCN5/KAT2A contributes to axon growth and neurogenesis

Posttranslational modification (PTM) of tubulin proteins is involved in microtubule dynamics. Acetylation, an important alpha-tubulin PTM, which is regarded as a hallmark event of stable microtubules, often occurs in neurogenesis and axon outgrowth. GCN5/KAT2A is a well-known histone acetyltransferase and has also been reported to hold the activity of nonhistone acetyltransferases, such as acetylated tubulin (Ace-tubulin). In this study, we investigated the role of GCN5/KAT2A in axon growth and neurogenesis. E18 cortical neurons obtained from day 18 embryos of pregnant Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were cultured and transfected with GCN5 siRNA or treated with the GCN5 inhibitor MB-3. Neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from the cerebral cortexes of E14 SD rats were cultured and differentiated. During differentiation, MB-3 was applied to investigate the effect of GCN5 dysfunction on neurogenesis. The axonal length and the ratio and distribution of acetylated and tyrosinated tubulin (Tyr-tubulin) were evaluated by immunostaining assay. The expression levels of Nestin, Tuj1, acetylated tubulin, and tyrosinated tubulin proteins were analyzed by Western blotting assays. In primary neurons, both GCN5 siRNA and MB-3 treatment reduced acetylated tubulin protein, changed the ratio of acetylated and tyrosinated tubulin, and decreased axonal length. During NSC differentiation, MB-3 application reduced axon outgrowth, decreased acetylated tubulin and altered the distribution of acetylated tubulin and tyrosinated tubulin. This study revealed for the first time that the acetyltransferase GCN5/KAT2A could contribute to axon outgrowth by altering the ratio and distribution of acetylated tubulin.