Goal: Study the role of the actin bundling protein, L-plastin, in Megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production.
We found miR-125a-5p is positively associated with human platelet numbers, and regulates megakaryocyte expression of L-plastin (gene name: LCP1). CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of L-plastin in MKs resulted in an increase in human megakaryocyte proplatelet formation (PPF), demonstrating L-plastin represses PPF. In collaboration with the Evavold lab in the Utah Pathology Department, we showed megakaryocytes lacking Lcp1 have less “stiff” membranes and higher platelet counts.