MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators involved in the myogenic process in skeletal muscles. miR-708-5p plays an important role in various biochemical and physiological processes, but its function in skeletal myogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we first explored the effects of miR-708-5p on C2C12 proliferation and differentiation by overexpression and interference experiments. Then, we predicted the target genes of miR-708-5p and analyzed their function. We found that miR-708-5p was gradually increased during myoblast differentiation. Overexpression of miR-708-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted the differentiation of myoblasts. A total of 253 target genes were predicted using a bioinformatics approach. These genes were significantly enriched in muscle growth-related GO terms and KEGG pathways, such as actin filament organization, actin cytoskeleton organization, PI3K-Akt pathway, insulin pathway, and Jak-STAT pathway. Among them, Pik3ca, Pik3r3, and Irs1 were considered to be the key target genes of miR-708-5p. To sum up, miR-708-5p inhibited C2C12 cells proliferation and promoted C2C12 cells differentiation. Its target genes significantly enriched in GO terms and KEGG pathways related to the development and growth of muscle. Our results provided a basis for studies on the function and mechanism of miR-708-5p regulating skeletal muscle growth and development.
Keywords: C2C12 cells; differentiation; miR-708-5p; proliferation; target genes.