miR-122 removal in the liver activates imprinted microRNAs and enables more effective microRNA-mediated gene repression

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 14;9(1):5321. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07786-7.

Abstract

miR-122 is a highly expressed liver microRNA that is activated perinatally and aids in regulating cholesterol metabolism and promoting terminal differentiation of hepatocytes. Disrupting expression of miR-122 can re-activate embryo-expressed adult-silenced genes, ultimately leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we interrogate the liver transcriptome at various time points after genomic excision of miR-122 to determine the cellular consequences leading to oncogenesis. Loss of miR-122 leads to specific and progressive increases in expression of imprinted clusters of microRNAs and mRNA transcripts at the Igf2 and Dlk1-Dio3 loci that could be curbed by re-introduction of exogenous miR-122. mRNA targets of other abundant hepatic microRNAs are functionally repressed leading to widespread hepatic transcriptional de-regulation. Together, this reveals a transcriptomic framework for the hepatic response to loss of miR-122 and the outcome on other microRNAs and their cognate gene targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Iodide Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DLK1 protein, human
  • IGF2 protein, human
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn122 microRNA, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II
  • iodothyronine deiodinase type III
  • Iodide Peroxidase