circFNDC3B/miR-655-3p轴调控乳腺癌细胞增殖、细胞周期和凋亡

为了探讨circFNDC3B对乳腺癌细胞增殖、细胞周期和凋亡的影响及可能机制,该研究首先采用RT-qPCR法检测了83例乳腺癌组织及乳腺癌细胞系(MCF-7、T47D、Bcap-37)中circFNDC3B和miR-655-3p表达;然后分别转染circFNDC3B小干扰RNA、miR-655-3p模拟物、miR-655-3p抑制剂或共转染circFNDC3B小干扰RNA与miR-655-3p抑制剂至MCF-7细胞中,采用CCK-8法检测了细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测了细胞凋亡和周期,Western blot法检测了细胞中CyclinD1与Cleaved-caspase-3的蛋白表达,双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证了miR-655-3p与circFNDC3B的调控关系。结果显示,乳腺癌组织和细胞系中circFNDC3B表达升高(P0.05),而miR-655-3p表达降低(P0.05)。下调circFNDC3B或上调miR-655-3p后,MCF-7细胞增殖活性和CyclinD1蛋白表达量降低,细胞周期进程受到阻滞,细胞凋亡率与Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达量增加,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。circFNDC3B靶向结合并负调控miR-655-3p。下调miR-655-3p对MCF-7细胞增殖、细胞周期和凋亡的影响与上调miR-655-3p相反。下调miR-655-3p逆转下调circFNDC3B对MCF-7细胞增殖、细胞周期和凋亡的影响。这说明,circFNDC3B可能通过抑制miR-655-3p的表达促进乳腺癌细胞增殖和细胞周期进程,并阻碍细胞凋亡。     

miR-486-3p对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7凋亡的调控作用研究

为探讨miR-486-3p对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7凋亡的调控作用,采用qRT-PCR法和Western blot法测定24例乳腺癌组织和癌旁正常组织miR-486-3p和凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平;采用qRT-PCR法测定乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、HBL101和正常乳腺细胞MCF10A中miR-486-3p的表达水平。将MCF-7、HBL101和MCF10A细胞分为正常对照组、模拟物对照组、miR-486-3p模拟物组、抑制物对照组和miR-486-3p抑制物组,各组细胞转染后进行培养,采用CCK-8法测定各组细胞增殖情况,采用细胞划痕法测定MCF-7和MCF10A细胞的迁移情况,采用Transwell法和流式细胞术测定各组细胞侵袭和凋亡情况,采用qRT-PCR和Western blot法测定凋亡相关蛋白mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。该研究得出乳腺癌组织中miR-486-3p表达水平较癌旁正常组织显著降低(P0.05),乳腺癌组织中Bcl-2蛋白表达水平较癌旁正常组织显著增加(P0.05),而Bax和Caspase-3蛋白表达水平较癌旁正常组织显著降低(P0.05)。乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和HBL101中miR-486-3p表达水平较正常乳腺细胞MCF10A显著降低(P0.05),其中以乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中miR-486-3p表达水平最低。miR-486-3p模拟物组乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和HBL101中miR-486-3p的表达水平较模拟物对照组显著升高(P0.05),miR-486-3p抑制物组miR-486-3p的表达水平较抑制物对照组显著降低(P0.05)。miR-486-3p模拟剂组乳腺癌MCF-7和HBL101细胞在24 h、48 h和72 h时的吸光度值较模拟物对照组显著降低(P0.05),而miR-486-3p抑制物组在24 h、48 h和72 h时吸光度值较抑制物对照组显著升高(P0.05)。miR-486-3p模拟剂组乳腺癌MCF-7细胞划痕宽度显著宽于模拟物对照组(P0.05),而miR-486-3p抑制物组乳腺癌MCF-7细胞划痕宽度显著窄于抑制物对照组(P0.05)。miR-486-3p模拟剂组乳腺癌MCF-7细胞穿膜细胞数量较模拟剂对照组显著降低(P0.05),而miR-486-3p抑制物组穿膜细胞数量较抑制物对照组显著升高(P0.05)。miR-486-3p模拟剂组乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡数量较模拟物对照组显著升高(P0.05),而miR-486-3p抑制物组细胞凋亡数量较抑制物对照组显著降低(P0.05)。miR-486-3p模拟剂组乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中Bcl-2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平较模拟物对照组显著降低(P0.05),Bax和Caspase-3表达水平显著升高(P0.05),miR-486-3p抑制物组Bcl-2表达水平较抑制物对照组显著升高(P0.05),Bax和Caspase-3表达水平显著降低(P0.05)。总之,miR-486-3p是乳腺癌的抑癌基因,可能通过调节凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白的表达,而对乳腺癌细胞的凋亡起促进作用。     

RP4 通过miR-183-5p.1上调FOXO1抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖

近年来,越来越多的证据表明,长非编码RNAs在肿瘤发生发展中发挥重要作用。位于12号染色体的长非编码RNA RP4-816N1.7（简称RP4）在乳腺癌细胞中的作用未见报道。我们通过实时荧光定量PCR证实,RP4在乳腺癌细胞中的表达量普遍低于其在正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A中的表达量。RP4在MCF-7和MDA-MB-231中表达量分别比其在MCF-10A中的表达量下调21.57%和91.33%。过表达RP4可明显抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖。敲低RP4可显著增加乳腺癌细胞的增殖能力。生物信息学预测,RP4可能与miR-183-5p.1结合,且叉头蛋白O1(FOXO1)可能是miR-183-5p.1的潜在靶标。实时荧光定量PCR结果提示,RP4可下调miR-183-5p.1,而miR-183-5p.1也可下调RP4和FOXO1的表达。双荧光素酶报告基因结果证实,miR-183-5p.1可与RP4结合,下调其表达,也能与FOXO1 3′UTR结合,抑制其mRNA和蛋白质水平的表达量。最后,本文通过BrdU实验证实,RP4通过FOXO1抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖。总之,RP4通过内源性结合miR-183-5p.1,上调FOXO1表达,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖。     

MiR-5047在乳腺癌细胞增殖迁移中的作用及表达调控*

探讨miR-5047在乳腺癌细胞中的表达及其在乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移中的作用,并明确地西他滨在miR-5047表达调控中的作用。通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测人乳腺癌细胞系和正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF10A中miR-5047的表达水平;将miR-5047模拟物(mimic),阴性对照(NC)分别转染至MDA-MB-231和MCF7细胞,经平板克隆实验、MTT实验、划痕愈合实验检测乳腺癌细胞的增殖和迁移能力,通过qRT-PCR和Western blot检测相关基因表达及蛋白水平。使用浓度5 μmol/L和10 μmol/L的地西他滨分别处理MDA-MB-231和MCF-7细胞,经qRT-PCR检测不同浓度和处理时间条件下地西他滨对miR-5047表达的影响。同时,通过形态观察和Western blot检测地西他滨对乳腺癌细胞上皮间质转化的影响。与正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A相比,miR-5047在乳腺癌细胞中表达均显著下调。miR-5047过表达可显著抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖和迁移,促进上皮细胞标志物E-cadherin的表达,抑制间质细胞标志物Vimentin的表达。不同浓度地西他滨处理MDA-MB-231和MCF7细胞后,miR-5047表达均增强,且10 μmol/L作用48 h效果最显著。地西他滨可诱导MDA-MB-231细胞向上皮样转变。miR-5047在乳腺癌细胞系中表达显著下调,过表达miR-5047可抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖和迁移,地西他滨可促进乳腺癌细胞中miR-5047的表达,并诱导细胞向上皮样转变。     

CHRNA9基因绝对定量PCR标准曲线的建立

[目的]为研究乙酰胆碱受体(nicotine acetylcholine receptor,nAChR)α9亚基基因(CHRNA9)的mRNA,在人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7和人正常乳腺上皮细胞系MCF-10A中的差异表达情况,建立了CHRNA9基因转录本拷贝数的绝对定量标准曲线。[方法]培养并收集细胞,提取总RNA,反转录合成cDNA。以cDNA为模板,扩增CHRNA9基因171bp的特征片段,亚克隆到pMD-18T载体中,并进行测序鉴定。以梯度稀释的质粒为模板,进行荧光定量PCR来建立标准曲线,进一步对上述细胞系中CHRNA9的初始拷贝数进行定量分析。[结果]成功地对人正常乳腺上皮细胞系MCF-10A,人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7中的α9 nAChR亚基基因的mRNA水平表达量,即反转录生成的cDNA拷贝数进行了定量,mRNA拷贝数分别为712.61.31和2 236.55个。经统计分析,二者之间CHRNA9基因的表达量差异达到了极显著水平(p0.01),即α9 nAChR亚基基因在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中显著高于乳腺正常上皮细胞MCF-10A。[结论]研究所获得的CHRNA9基因的绝对荧光定量标准曲线,可用于不同乳腺癌细胞系α9 nAChR亚基基因表达量的检测,而α9 nAChR作为一个理想的、特异性的潜在药物作用靶点,这为相应种类的乳腺癌发病机理研究和靶向治疗药物的研发提供基础。     

miR-125a-5p通过靶向调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力

miR-125a-5p可负性调节GAB2表达,抑制胶质瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。本研究旨在证明miR-125a-5p抑癌作用的普遍性,即miR-125a-5p是否可通过靶向抑制GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移。荧光素酶实验结果显示,miR-125a-5p可特异识别GAB2的3′-UTR,抑制报告酶的表达。荧光定量PCR结果揭示,与正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A比较,miR-125a-5p在乳腺癌细胞MDA231和MCF-7中的表达明显降低;与迁移能力相对较低的MCF-7细胞比较,miR-125a-5p在迁移能力较高的MDA231细胞中的表达量更低。Western 印迹结果证明,与空载体（对照）和anti-miR125a 5p转染细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p明显抑制GAB2蛋白在乳腺癌细胞中的表达。Transwell结果显示,与空载体转染的对照细胞比较,转染miR-125a-5p的乳腺癌细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数明显减少;相反,转染anti-miR125a-5p的细胞穿过基质胶的细胞数却明显增多。上述结果提示,miR-125a-5p在正常的乳腺细胞中高表达,而在乳腺癌细胞中低表达,其表达水平与癌细胞的迁移能力和GAB2表达呈反向关系。本研究结果还提示,miR-125a-5p通过靶向负调控GAB2抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移能力。总之,本研究证明,miR-125a-5p在肿瘤中发挥抑癌作用。     

miR-138对小鼠乳腺上皮细胞的作用及其调控的靶序列

miRNA是一类长约20～25 nt的内源性非编码蛋白的小RNA.miRNAs的作用遍及生命体的发生、生长、发育、分化和死亡等过程,但目前对miRNA在细胞中的确切功能和其如何发挥作用知之甚少.应用miRNA基因沉默技术,抑制小鼠乳腺上皮细胞miR-138的表达,应用荧光定量PCR、Western blot、细胞活力分析技术等分析mi-138的表达及mLR-138对小鼠乳腺上皮细胞的影响,结果显示,miR-138抑制后细胞活性增强(P＜0.05),PRL-R蛋白表达增强(P＜0.05),信号转导通路分子STAT5、MAPK表达加强.研究认为,miR-138抑制小鼠乳腺上皮细胞的增殖.miR-138在乳腺上皮细胞调控的靶序列是PRL-R,抑制其表达而发挥作用.miR-138通过调控STAT5、MAPK信号转导通路而调控乳腺上皮细胞增殖.     

LINC00342/miR-505-3p/PGK1基因在乳腺癌患者肿瘤转移中的表达以及对细胞生物学特性的影响

长链非编码RNA LINC00342已被证实在多种癌症中参与重要生物学功能。然而,LINC00342在乳腺癌中的作用和机制尚不清楚。在该研究中,选取28例乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织和癌旁正常组织,乳腺癌细胞和正常乳腺上皮细胞,用qRT-PCR检测LINC00342、miR-505-3p和磷酸甘油酸激酶1(PGK1) mRNA的表达情况。Western blot检测PGK1蛋白的表达情况。将乳腺癌细胞MCF-7分为NC组(空白)、si-LINC00342组(转染si-LINC00342)、si-NC组(转染si-NC)、miR-505-3p组(转染miR-505-3p模拟物)、miR-NC组(转染miR-NC)、si-PGK1组(转染si-PGK1)、si-NC组(转染si-NC)、si-LINC00342+pcDNA-PGK1组(同时转染si-LINC00342与pcDNA-PGK1)和siLINC00342+pcDNA组(同时转染si-LINC00342与pcDNA)。利用Western blot检测PGK1、迁移侵袭标志物基质金属蛋白酶MMP2和MMP9的表达情况, MTT法检测细胞增殖能...     

miR-129-5p调节小鼠乳腺上皮细胞内Igf-1的表达

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)是一类大约22个核苷酸的非编码RNA.它能通过调控生长因子表达,引发肿瘤形成、细胞增殖和组织器官发育.本文通过构建miR-129-5p靶基因序列的双荧光素酶报告载体分析了miR-129-5p与靶基因之间的关系,应用脂质体转染技术和实时荧光定量技术观察了miR-129-5p在小鼠乳腺上皮细胞中的表达量及其变化,通过CASY细胞活力仪检测转染后的细胞增殖与活力变化,采用Western 印迹方法检Igf-1的变化.结果表明：miR-129-5p在小鼠乳腺青春期表达最高,成功构建了Igf-1基因 3′UTR荧光素酶报告载体, miR-129-5p抑制其荧光素酶活性（P <0.01）,转染抑制子后miR-129-5p表达降低（P < 0.01）,胰岛素样生长因子（Igf-1)表达增强（P <0.05）,细胞增殖和活力增强（P <0.01）,结果提示：miR-129-5p可能通过抑制靶基因蛋白Igf 1的表达,进而抑制小鼠乳腺上皮细胞增殖和活力.     

MiR-150-5p通过靶向调控Rab1A抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-231的上皮-间质转化

先前的研究表明,miR-150-5p发挥抑癌基因的作用,调控肿瘤细胞的侵袭与转移。然而,关于其在乳腺癌细胞侵袭与转移中的机制尚不明确。本实验旨在研究miR-150-5p负向调控Rab1A在乳腺癌细胞上皮-间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的作用。双荧光素酶的结果显示,miR-150-5p可负向调控Rab1A。荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR) 结果显示,miR-150-5p在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7及MDA-MB-231（MDA-231）中的表达水平明显低于正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A; 在MDA-231中过表达miR-150-5p后,qRT-PCR结果显示,Rab1A mRNA的表达水平明显降低。Western印迹结果显示,过表达miR-150-5p后,miR-150-5p组细胞中的Rab1A、波形蛋白(vimentin)及N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)的表达水平相对于对照组（NC）细胞明显降低,而E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)的表达水平明显增加。Transwell侵袭和划痕实验显示,与miR-150-5p+Con组细胞相比,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的侵袭和迁移能力明显增加。qRT-PCR结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的Rab1A mRNA表达水平明显增加。Western印迹结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞中的波形蛋白、N-钙黏着蛋白表达水平明显增加, 而E-钙黏着蛋白表达明显降低,过表达Rab1A后显著逆转了miR-150-5p对EMT的影响。综上所述,miR-150-5p可以通过负向调控Rab1A抑制EMT,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移。     

miR-142-3p is a tumor suppressor that inhibits estrogen receptor expression in ER-positive breast cancer

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are involved in the development of many types of malignant tumors, in particular, breast cancer. Among others, ERs affect cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The microRNA (miRNA) miR-142-3p has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis by regulating various cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, cell migration, apoptosis, and invasion. It does so via targeting molecules involved in a range of signaling pathways. We surgically collected 20 ER-positive breast cancer samples, each with matched adjacent normal breast tissue, and measured the expression of miR-142-3p via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics methods, luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis were used to assess whether miR-142-3p could target ESR1, which encodes the estrogen receptor, in ER-positive breast cancer cells and patient samples. We also restored miRNA expression and performed cell viability, cytotoxicity, and colony formation assays. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR were used to study the expression of apoptosis and stemness markers. We found that miR-142-3p is downregulated in ER-positive breast cancers. Restoration of miR-142-3p expression in ER-positive breast cancer cells reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway and decreased both colony formation and the expression of stem cell markers. Bioinformatic analysis predicted miR-142-3p could bind to 3′-untranslated region ESR1 messenger RNA (mRNA). Consistently, we demonstrated that miR-142-3p reduced luciferase activity in ER-positive breast cancer cells, and decreased ESR1 expression in both mRNA and protein levels. The results revealed miR-142-3p and ESR1 expression correlated negatively in ER-positive breast cancer samples. The results suggest miR-142-3p acts as a tumor suppressor via multiple mechanisms. Thus, restoration of miR-142-3p expression, for example, via miRNA replacement therapy, may represent an effective strategy for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer patients.     

miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖及迁移能力的影响

目的：通过敲低微小RNA （microRNA,miRNA）-449a的方法研究miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖和迁移能力的影响。方法：采用miRNA芯片在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和人正常乳腺细胞MCF-10A筛选具有表达差异的miRNA;化学合成法制备miR-449a的抑制剂（inhibitor）,转染后经real-time PCR验证表达的变化;细胞增殖CCK-8实验对转染后细胞增殖能力进行检测;划痕实验检测细胞转移能力,transwell小室实验检测细胞侵袭的改变;蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）实验对MCF-7细胞增殖和迁移相关的β-catenin和E-cadherin蛋白进行检测;通过生物信息学软件预测miR-449a潜在靶基因为Notch 1,荧光素酶实验检测Notch 1是miR-449a的靶基因。结果：分别收集MCF-7和MCF-10A细胞,芯片结果显示miR-449a在MCF-7细胞的表达水平显著高于MCF-10A;本研究将细胞分为未处理组（Mock组）,阴性对照组（negative control组,NC组）和处理组,通过收集不同组MCF-7细胞进行试验,CCK-8结果显示miR-449a下调后MCF-7细胞增殖能力显著降低;划痕实验结果显示miR-449a表达降低导致MCF-7细胞转移能力降低;transwell实验结果显示MCF-7细胞侵袭受到抑制;Western blot结果发现miR-449a敲低后β-catenin表达降低,E-cadherin表达增加;荧光素酶试验结果显示,miR-449a能够显著降低Notch 1-3'-UTR质粒的荧光素活性（P<0.01）。结论：在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中敲低miR-449a能够显著抑制癌细胞增殖和迁移,而这一变化可能通过降低Notch 1蛋白表达实现的。     

miR-221对小鼠乳腺上皮细胞增殖和泌乳功能的影响

MicroRNA（miRNA）是一类大约22个核苷酸的非编码RNA.miR-221能通过调控受体表达,引发肿瘤形成、细胞增殖和组织器官发育.本文应用脂质体转染技术,改变miR-221在小鼠乳腺上皮细胞和组织中的表达量.采用HPLC、Western 印迹、电镜技术等观察miR-221对小鼠乳腺上皮细胞和乳腺组织的影响.结果表明,miR-221沉寂后,细胞增殖能力增强（P<0.01）,β酪蛋白表达增加（P>0.05）,生长激素受体(GHR)表达增强（P<0.01）,泌乳期乳腺组织中上皮细胞数量增加（P<0.05）,小鼠泌乳量增加（P<0.05）.结果提示,miR-221可能通过抑制靶蛋白GHR表达,进而抑制乳腺上皮细胞增殖和泌乳.     

miR-142-3p enhances FcεRI-mediated degranulation in mast cells

Mast cells are immune cells derived from hematopoietic progenitors. When they are activated by stimuli, they immediately release granule-associated mediators, leading to allergic inflammation. Several factors controlling mediator release have been identified; however, little is known whether microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in this process. miRNAs are a small class of non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. In this study, we investigated the relationship between miRNAs and degranulation in LAD2 cells, a human mast cell line. We demonstrated that silencing of Dicer, a key enzyme of miRNA biogenesis, attenuates degranulation, indicating that miRNAs are involved in mast cell degranulation. We furthermore discovered that the overexpression of miR-142-3p enhances FcεRI-mediated degranulation and that miR-142-3p rescues the reduction of degranulation by silencing Dicer. Similar effects were observed in bone marrow-derived mast cells obtained miR-142-3p-deficient mice. Our studies suggest that miR-142-3p is a potential therapeutic target in pathological conditions caused by mast cells, such as mastocytosis and allergies.     

miRNA profiling of naïve, effector and memory CD8 T cells

microRNAs have recently emerged as master regulators of gene expression during development and cell differentiation. Although profound changes in gene expression also occur during antigen-induced T cell differentiation, the role of miRNAs in the process is not known. We compared the miRNA expression profiles between antigen-specific na?ve, effector and memory CD8+ T cells using 3 different methods--small RNA cloning, miRNA microarray analysis and real-time PCR. Although many miRNAs were expressed in all the T cell subsets, the frequency of 7 miRNAs (miR-16, miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-150, miR-15b and let-7f) alone accounted for approximately 60% of all miRNAs, and their expression was several fold higher than the other expressed miRNAs. Global downregulation of miRNAs (including 6/7 dominantly expressed miRNAs) was observed in effector T cells compared to na?ve cells and the miRNA expression levels tended to come back up in memory T cells. However, a few miRNAs, notably miR-21 were higher in effector and memory T cells compared to na?ve T cells. These results suggest that concomitant with profound changes in gene expression, miRNA profile also changes dynamically during T cell differentiation. Sequence analysis of the cloned mature miRNAs revealed an extensive degree of end polymorphism. While 3'end polymorphisms dominated, heterogeneity at both ends, resembling drosha/dicer processing shift was also seen in miR-142, suggesting a possible novel mechanism to generate new miRNA and/or to diversify miRNA target selection. Overall, our results suggest that dynamic changes in the expression of miRNAs may be important for the regulation of gene expression during antigen-induced T cell differentiation. Our study also suggests possible novel mechanisms for miRNA biogenesis and function.     

circ-016910 sponges miR-574-5p to regulate cell physiology and milk synthesis via MAPK and PI3K/AKT–mTOR pathways in GMECs

Incremental proofs demonstrate that miRNAs, the essential regulators of gene expression, are implicated in various biological procedures, including mammary development and milk synthesis. Here, the role of miR-574-5p in milk synthesis, apoptosis, and proliferation of goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) are explored without precedent, and the molecular mechanisms for the impacts are elucidated. Small RNA libraries were constructed using GMECs transfected with miR-574-5p mimics and negative control followed by sequencing via Solexa technology. Overall, 332 genes were distinguishingly expressed entre two libraries, with 74 genes upregulated and 258 genes downregulated. This approach revealed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 9 (MAP3K9), an upstream activator of MAPK signaling, as a differentially expressed unigene. miR-574-5p targeted seed sequences of the MAP3K9 3′-untranslated region and suppressed its messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, correspondingly. GMECs with miR-574-5p overexpression and MAP3K9 inhibition showed increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation resulting from sustained suppression of MAPK pathways, while MAP3K9 elevation manifested the opposite results. miR-574-5p repressed the phosphorylation of members of protein kinase B (AKT)–mammalian target of rapamycin pathway via downregulating MAP3K9 and AKT3, resulting in reducing the secretion of β-casein and triglycerides in GMECs. Finally, according to the constructed circular RNA (circRNA) libraries and bioinformatics prediction approach, we selected circ-016910 and found it acted as a sponge for miR-574-5p and blocked its relevant behaviors to undertake biological effects in GMECs. The circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network facilitates further probes on the function of miR-574-5p in mammary development and milk synthesis.