HeLa细胞中miRNA-214靶基因Mek3的确定

目的探索miRNA-214在HeLa细胞中的与其靶基因Mek3相互作用。方法通过miRNA靶基因预测网站寻找可能与miRNA-214相互作用的靶基因,合成miRNA-214和对照序列,将miRNA-214、对照序列、Mek3的3’非翻译区（3’UTR）以及突变的Mek3 3’UTR分别克隆到表达载体上,转染HeLa细胞,转染48h后提取蛋白,检测绿色荧光蛋白的表达水平;HeLa细胞转染miRNA-214后,Trizol抽提RNA,通过荧光定量PCR检测Mek3mRNA的表达水平;Western印迹检Mek3的蛋白表达水平。经过以上实验从mRNA和蛋白水平上验证了在HeLa细胞中miRNA-214对靶基因Mek3的作用效应。结果生物信息学方法显示miRNA-214和Mek3存在可能的结合位点。经过实验验证了miRNA-214可以下调Mek3的mRNA和蛋白水平。结论miRNA-214可以负调节靶基因Mek3的表达。     

A combined experimental and computational study on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) analogues of tumor suppressive miRNA-34a

MicroRNAs are a ubiquitous class of non-coding RNAs able to regulate gene expression in diverse biological processes. Widespread miRNAs deregulation was reported in numerous diseases including cancer, with several miRNAs playing oncogenic and/or tumor suppressive role by targeting multiple mRNAs simultaneously. Based on these findings, miRNAs have emerged as promising therapeutic tools for cancer treatment. Herein, for the first time, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were studied to develop a new class of molecules able to target 3′UTR on MYCN mRNA without a fully complementary base pairing sequence (as miRNAs). For our proof of concept study we have selected as a model the miRNA-34a, which acts as a tumor suppressor in a number of cancers including neuroblastoma. In particular, miRNA-34a is a direct regulator of MYCN oncogene, whose overexpression is a prominent biomarker for the highly aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype. The design and synthesis of three PNA-based oligomers of different length was described, and their interaction with two binding sites on the target MYCN mRNA was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation, and spectroscopic techniques (CD, UV). Intake assay and confocal microscopy of PNA sequences were also carried out in vitro on neuroblastoma Kelly cells. Despite the presence of multiple mismatches, the PNA/RNA hetero duplexes retain very interesting features in terms of stability, affinity as well as of cellular uptake.     

MiRNA-19a and miRNA-19b regulate proliferation of antler cells by targeting TGFBR2

Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to explore the microRNA-mediated regulation of TGF-β receptor-II (TGFBR2) expression during rapid antler growth and proliferation of antler cells in sika deer. Deep sequencing–based expression analysis of miRNAs on the antler tip tissue was performed. Then, two bioinformatics software were used to analyze TGFBR2 3′-UTR sequence for predicting the matched and differentially expressed miRNAs in different tissues of the antler. The results indicated that miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b exhibited the highest upregulation among differentially expressed miRNAs. We also found that the TGFBR2 3′-UTR contains a binding site for miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b by transfection of wild-type and mutant dual-luciferase reporter vectors into antler cartilage cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b significantly inhibited the proliferation of cartilage cells in vitro, and decreased the expression level of TGFBR2 protein. Furthermore, the expression levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and TGF-β2, which were associated with TGFBR2, reduced after transfection of cartilage cells with miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b. Our results indicate the significant roles of miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b in proliferation of antler cells and its potential application.     

血清miRNA-93、miRNA-223联合miRNA-324-3p可作为诊断PCOS的生物标记物

本研究拟基于最近的miRNA报道,结合前期关于肌肉生长抑素(myostatin, MSTN)的相关研究,探究多囊卵巢综合症(ploycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS)患者血清miRNA和生长抑素的表达及其相关临床病理特征。本研究选取160例在湘南学院附属医院妇科就诊的女性为研究对象,通过PCR、ELISA等方法比较PCOS患者血清miRNA和生长抑素的表达情况,并且分析其相关临床病理特征。结果显示,通过PCR的方法发现mi RNA-93、mi RNA-223在PCOS患者的血清中显著升高,而mi RNA-4522、mi RNA-6767-5p和mi RNA-324-3p则表达下降。本研究建立了3个miRNA的预测模型,并证实预测模型在筛选组和验证组中有很好的敏感性和特异性,可以有效区分PCOS患者和正常人群,但研究结果也发现,miRNA模型结合MSTN没有更好的诊断价值。     

Overexpression of microRNA-29b induces apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells through down regulating Mcl-1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs), which regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression and degradation. Several lines of evidences have indicated that miRNAs act as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. However, the role of miRNAs in pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the profile of miRNA expression of primary MM cells, using miRNA microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques. These results showed that in the bone marrow specimens analyzed, miRNA-29b was significantly downregulated. Similar results were also observed in human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of miR-29b induced apoptosis and elevated caspase-3 activation in HMCLs. Using a bioinformatics approach, we found a perfect complementarity between miRNA-29b and the 3′UTR of myeloid-cell-leukemia 1(Mcl-1). It is further confirmed that miRNA-29b downregulated the level of Mcl-1 without effect on the mRNA level using both qRT-PCR assays and Western blot analyses. Moreover, we observed that enforced miR-29b expression by using a retarget miRNA-29b expression vector (Ad5F11p-miR-29b) could induce apoptosis and elevate caspase-3 activation in HMCLs. Our results also indicated that miRNA-29b-induced apoptosis acted antagonistically with IL-6 in HMCLs. These findings suggest that miRNA-29b may play an important role in MM as a tumor suppressor.     

miRNA-21 inhibition enhances RANTES and IP-10 release in MCF-7 via PIAS3 and STAT3 signalling and causes increased lymphocyte migration

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small endogenous gene regulators that have been implicated in various developmental and pathological processes. However, the precise identities and functions of miRNAs involved in antitumor immunity are not yet well understood. miRNA-21 is an oncogenic miRNA that can be detected in various tumours. In this study, we report that a miRNA-21 inhibitor enhances the release of chemoattractants RANTES and IP-10 in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and results in increased lymphocyte migration. Thus, miRNA-21 is a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. We further demonstrated that PIAS3, a protein inhibitor of activated STAT3, is a target of miRNA-21 in MCF-7. Thus, miRNA-21 is a novel miRNA regulating immune cell recruitment, which acts at least in part via its inhibition of PIAS3 expression and oncogenic STAT3 signalling in tumour cells.     

MicroRNA-98促进猪圆环病毒2型在3D4/21细胞中的复制

【目的】通过高通量测序的方法获得PCV2感染3D4/21细胞的miRNAs表达谱,并探讨miRNA-98在PCV2复制中的作用。【方法】本研究以猪肺泡巨噬细胞系3D4/21细胞为细胞模型,对PCV2感染过程中的3D4/21细胞进行miRNAs差异表达分析,筛选与病毒复制相关的特异性miRNAs,并探讨其在PCV2复制中的作用。【结果】经高通量测序,获得PCV2感染3D4/21细胞的miRNAs表达谱,结合实验室前期研究筛选获得miRNA-98。实验表明,miRNA-98的表达量随PCV2感染时间的延长而持续升高,其变化趋势与Cap蛋白表达变化基本一致,由此推测miRNA-98与PCV2复制正相关。过表达miRNA-98可显著上调Cap蛋白的表达量和PCV2的复制。进一步的研究表明,miRNA-98参与调节宿主免疫相关细胞因子的表达和PCV2的复制。【结论】miRNA-98可通过调节免疫相关细胞因子的表达调控宿主免疫功能,帮助PCV2逃逸宿主免疫,促进PCV2在3D4/21细胞中的复制。这些发现不仅为深入了解PCV2与宿主之间的关系提供了新视角,还有望为猪圆环病毒相关疾病的防控提供新的抗病毒策略。     

MicroRNA-378 Regulates Adiponectin Expression in Adipose Tissue: A New Plausible Mechanism

Aims

Mechanisms regulating adiponectin expression have not been fully clarified. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, are involved in biological processes, including obesity and insulin resistance. We evaluated whether the miRNA-378 pathway is involved in regulating adiponectin expression.

Methods and Results

First, we determined a putative target site for miRNA-378 in the 3 prime untranslated region (3''UTR) of the adiponectin gene by in silico analysis. The levels of adiponectin mRNA and protein were decreased in 3T3-L1 cells overexpressing the mimic of miRNA-378. Luminescence activity in HEK293T cells expressing a renilla-luciferase-adiponectin-3''UTR sequence was inhibited by overexpressing the mimic of miRNA-378, and the decrease was reversed by adding the inhibitor of miRNA-378. Moreover, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of the mimic were cancelled in a deleted mutant of the miR-378 3′-UTR binding site. Addition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) led a upregulation of miR-378 and downregulation of adiponectin at mRNA and protein levels in 3T3-L1 cells. Level of miR-378 was higher and mRNA level of adiponectin was lower in diabetic ob/ob mice than those of normal C57BL/6 mice and levels of miR378 and adiponectin were negatively well correlated (r = −0.624, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

We found that levels of miRNA-378 could modulate adiponectin expression via the 3''UTR sequence-binding site. Our findings warrant further investigations into the role of miRNAs in regulating the adiponectin expression.     

Common micro RNAs (miRNAs) target complement factor H (CFH) regulation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are complex and progressive inflammatory degenerations of the human neocortex and retina. Recent molecular, genetic and epigenetic evidence indicate that at least 4 micro RNAs (miRNAs) - including the NF-кB-regulated miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 - are progressively up-regulated in both AD and AMD. This quartet of up-regulated miRNAs in turn down-regulate a small brain- and retinal-cell-relevant family of target mRNAs, including that encoding complement factor H (CFH), a major negative regulator of the innate immune and inflammatory response. Together miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 recognize an overlapping miRNA regulatory control (MiRC) region in the CFH 3’-untranslated region (3’- UTR; 5’-TTTAGTATTAA-3’) to which either of these miRNAs may interact. Progressive, pathogenic increases in specific miRNA binding to the entire 232 nucleotide CFH 3’-UTR appears to be a major regulator of CFH expression down-regulation, and the inflammatory pathology that characterizes both AMD and AD. The data presented in this report provides evidence that up-regulation of brain- and retinal- abundant miRNAs, including miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155, are common to the pathogenetic mechanism of CFH deficiency that drives inflammatory neurodegeneration, and for the first time indicates multiple, independent miRNA-mediated regulation of the CFH mRNA 3’-UTR.     

RNAi-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 by targeting partially complementary viral sequences

Potent antiviral RNAi can be induced by intracellular expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and artificial microRNAs (miRNAs). Expression of shRNA and miRNA results in target mRNA degradation (perfect base pairing) or translational repression (partial base pairing). Although efficient inhibition can be obtained, error-prone viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can escape from RNAi-mediated inhibition by mutating the target sequence. Recently, artificial miRNAs have been shown to be potent RNAi inducers due to their efficient processing by the RNAi machinery. Furthermore, miRNAs may be more proficient in suppressing imperfect targets than shRNAs. In this study, we tested the knockdown efficiency of miRNAs and shRNAs against wild-type and RNAi-escape HIV-1 variants with one or two mutations in the target sequence. ShRNAs and miRNAs can significantly inhibit the production of HIV-1 variants with mutated target sequences in the open reading frame. More pronounced mutation-tolerance was measured for targets in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). Partially complementary sequences within the 3′ UTR of the HIV-1 RNA genome efficiently act as target sites for miRNAs and shRNAs. These data suggest that targeting imperfect target sites by antiviral miRNAs or shRNAs provides an alternative RNAi approach for inhibition of pathogenic viruses.     

Clinical significance of the expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-31 and miRNA-let7 in patients with lung cancer

ObjectiveTo explore the expression differences of miRNA-21, miRNA-31 and miRNA-let7 between lung cancer patient and healthy people, thereby providing reference for early diagnosis of lung cancer.MethodReal-time PCR was employed to determine the expression difference between lung cancer patients (50 cases) and healthy people (24 cases). The clinical data of lung cancer patients were analyzed to explore the correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and expression level of miRNA-21, miRNA-31, miRNA-let7.ResultsThe relative expression levels of miRNA-21 and miRNA-31 in lung cancer group were obviously higher than those in healthy control group, and the relative expression level of miRNA-let7 in lung cancer group was slightly higher than that in healthy control group. Lung cancer patients with lymph node metastasis had higher expression level than those without lymph node metastasis. The ROC curve showed that the three miRNAs had clinical diagnosis efficiency for lung cancer, and the combined detection of the three miRNAs were more efficient in diagnosing lung cancer. Survival curve analysis suggested that the median survival times of patients in the miRNA-21 and miRNA-31 high expression groups were shorter than those in the low expression groups, and the median survival time of patients in miRNA-let7 high expression group was longer than that in the low expression group.ConclusionPlasma miRNA-21, miRNA-31 and miRNA-let7 may be diagnostic marker for lung cancer.     

miRNA-1和miRNA-133过表达对L6细胞增殖与分化的影响

目的观察大鼠微小RNA-1（miR-1）、微小RNA-133（miR-133）过表达对L6成肌细胞增殖分化的影响。方法分别构建miR-1、miR-133的重组慢病毒载体,并进行测序鉴定,稳定转染L6细胞后,用RT-PCR Taqman探针的方法检测miR-1、miR-133的表达水平;细胞计数实验（CCK-8试剂盒）评价miR-1、miR-133过表达后对L6细胞增殖的影响。诱导稳定转染后L6成肌细胞进行分化,观察miR-1、miR-133过表达后对L6细胞分化的影响。以Western blot法检测miR-1、miR-133过表达后,α肌动蛋白（skeletalα-actin）表达水平的变化。采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验、重复测量和单因素方差分析进行比较。结果miR-1慢病毒载体经酶切和测序鉴定序列准确,转染48 h后L6细胞miR-1组（4.292±0.50）比control组（0.231±0.86）、miR-133组（0.205±0.48）比control组（3.564±0.45）表达均显著上调（P〈0.001）;细胞计数和细胞分化实验显示,培养120 h后,过表达miR-1的L6细胞α肌动蛋白（skeletalα-actin）比对照组（0.415±0.02）表达显著升（0.676±0.02,F=222.144,P〈0.001）,分化明显加快,但增殖无明显变化;而过表达miR-133的L6细胞增殖明显加快,α肌动蛋白表达呈下降趋势（0.363±0.02,F=2385.643,P〈0.001）,分化受到抑制。结论 miR-1、miR-133慢病毒表达载体稳定转染L6成肌细胞后高效表达miR-1和miR-133,miR-1可促进L6细胞分化,miR-133能促进L6细胞增殖但抑制其分化。     

miRNA-223 Suppresses Mouse Gallstone Formation by Targeting Key Transporters in Hepatobiliary Cholesterol Secretion Pathway

miRNA-223 has been previously reported to play an essential role in hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. However, its role in regulation of biliary cholesterol secretion and gallstone formation remains unknown. Hence, mice with conventional knockout (KO), hepatocyte-specific knockout (ΔHepa) / knockdown (KD) or gain expression of miRNA-223 were included in the study and were subjected to lithogenic diet (LD) for various weeks. The gall bladders and liver tissues were harvested for cholesterol crystal imaging, gallstone mass measurement and molecular analysis. Levels of cholesterol, bile salt, phospholipids, and triglyceride were determined in serum, liver tissues, and bile by enzyme color reactive assays. A 3'' UTR reporter gene assay was used to verify the direct target genes for miRNA-223. LD-induced gallstone formation was remarkably accelerated in miRNA-223 KO, ΔHepa, and KD mice with concurrent enhancement in total cholesterol levels in liver tissues and bile. Key biliary cholesterol transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 were identified as direct targets of miRNA-223. Reversely, AAV-mediated hepatocyte-specific miRNA-223 overexpression prevented gallstone progression with reduced targets expression. Therefore, the present study demonstrates a novel role of miRNA-223 in the gallstone formation by targeting ABCG5 and ABCG8 and elevating miRNA-223 would be a potentially novel approach to overcome the sternness of cholesterol gallstone disease.