Regulation of huntingtin gene expression by miRNA-137, -214, -148a, and their respective isomiRs

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Aug 19;14(8):16999-7016. doi: 10.3390/ijms140816999.

Abstract

With the advent of deep sequencing technology, a variety of miRNA length and sequence variants, termed isomiRNAs (isomiRs), have been discovered. However, the functional roles of these commonly detected isomiRs remain unknown. In this paper, we demonstrated that miRNAs regulate the expression of the HTT gene, whose mutation leads to Huntington's disease (HD), a hereditary degenerative disorder. Specifically, we validated the interactions of canonical miRNAs, miR-137, miR-214, and miR-148a, with the HTT 3'UTR using a luciferase assay. Moreover, we applied synthetic miRNA mimics to examine whether a slight shifting of miRNA seed regions might alter the regulation of the HTT transcript. We also examined miR-137, miR-214, and miR-148a isomiRs and showed the activity of these isoforms on reporter constructs bearing appropriate sequences from the HTT 3'UTR. Hence, we demonstrated that certain 5'-end variants of miRNAs might be functional for the regulation of the same targets as canonical miRNAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Reporter
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Luciferases, Renilla / biosynthesis
  • Luciferases, Renilla / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA Interference*

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • MIRN137 microRNA, human
  • MIRN148 microRNA, human
  • MIRN214 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Luciferases, Renilla