[HTML][HTML] Sex-different and growth hormone-regulated expression of microRNA in rat liver

L Cheung, C Gustavsson, G Norstedt… - BMC molecular …, 2009 - Springer
L Cheung, C Gustavsson, G Norstedt, P Tollet-Egnell
BMC molecular biology, 2009Springer
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs playing an important role in
post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. We have previously shown that hepatic
transcript profiles are different between males and females; that some of these differences
are under the regulation of growth hormone (GH); and that mild starvation diminishes some
of the differences. In this study, we tested if hepatic miRNAs are regulated in a similar
manner. Results Using microarrays, miRNA screening was performed to identify sex …
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs playing an important role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. We have previously shown that hepatic transcript profiles are different between males and females; that some of these differences are under the regulation of growth hormone (GH); and that mild starvation diminishes some of the differences. In this study, we tested if hepatic miRNAs are regulated in a similar manner.
Results
Using microarrays, miRNA screening was performed to identify sex-dependent miRNAs in rat liver. Out of 324 unique probes on the array, 254 were expressed in the liver and eight (3% of 254) of those were found to be different between the sexes. Among the eight putative sex-different miRNAs, only one female-predominant miRNA (miR-29b) was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, 1 week of continuous GH-treatment in male rats reduced the levels of miR-451 and miR-29b, whereas mild starvation (12 hours) raised the levels of miR-451, miR-122a and miR-29b in both sexes. The biggest effects were obtained on miR-29b with GH-treatment.
Conclusion
We conclude that hepatic miRNA levels depend on the hormonal and nutritional status of the animal and show that miR-29b is a female-predominant and GH-regulated miRNA in rat liver.
Springer