MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that bind to the three prime untranslated region (3'-UTR) of target mRNAs. They cause a cleavage or an inhibition of the translation of target mRNAs, thus regulating gene expression. Here, we employed three prediction tools to search for potential miRNA target sites in the 3'-UTR of the human platelet glycoprotein (GP) 1BA gene. A luciferase reporter assay shows that miR-10a and -10b sites are functional. When miR-10a or -10b mimics were transfected into the GP Ibβ/GP IX-expressing cells, along with a DNA construct harboring both the coding and 3'-UTR sequences of the human GP1BA gene, we found that they inhibit the transient expression of GP Ibα on the cell surface. When the miR-10a or -10b mimics were introduced into murine progenitor cells, upon megakaryocyte differentiation, we found that GP Ibα mRNA expression was markedly reduced, suggesting that a miRNA-induced mRNA degradation is at work. Thus, our study identifies GP Ibα as a novel target of miR-10a and -10b, suggesting that a drastic reduction in the levels of miR-10a and -10b in the late stage of megakaryopoiesis is required to allow the expression of human GP Ibα and the formation of the GP Ib-IX-V complex.
Keywords: gene regulation; microRNA; platelet glycoprotein Ibα.