WDR62 is required for proper proliferation and early differentiation of skeletal myoblasts

WDR62, a centrosome and microtubule associated protein, regulates mitotic spindle formation and centrosome integrity in progenitor cells during development. While its role in neural progenitor differentiation is known, its function in myogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that WDR62 deficient mice possess smaller skeletal muscles. Following cardiotoxin injury to the tibialis anterior muscle, WDR62 deficient mice show normal satellite cell activation, but display a higher percentage of immature myofibers at day 7 post injury, suggesting premature differentiation. In Drosophila larvae, Wdr62 knockdown in the wing disc increases asymmetric myoblast division resulting in premature differentiation. In C2C12 mouse myoblasts, WDR62 loss leads to decreased myoblast proliferation due to increased centriole numbers and centriole cohesion, and a slight increase in myoblast fusion at day 3 differentiation, which supports premature differentiation. These data implicate WDR62 in maintaining centrosome integrity that is critical for myoblast proliferation and preventing premature differentiation during early stages of myogenesis.