Construction and detection of expression vectors of microRNA-9a in BmN cells

J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2011 Jul;12(7):527-33. doi: 10.1631/jzus.B1000296.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous RNAs molecules, approximately 21-23 nucleotides in length, which regulate gene expression by base-pairing with 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs. However, the functions of only a few miRNAs in organisms are known. Recently, the expression vector of artificial miRNA has become a promising tool for gene function studies. Here, a method for easy and rapid construction of eukaryotic miRNA expression vector was described. The cytoplasmic actin 3 (A3) promoter and flanked sequences of miRNA-9a (miR-9a) precursor were amplified from genomic DNA of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and was inserted into pCDNA3.0 vector to construct a recombinant plasmid. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was used as reporter gene. The Bombyx mori N (BmN) cells were transfected with recombinant miR-9a expression plasmid and were harvested 48 h post transfection. Total RNAs of BmN cells transfected with recombinant vectors were extracted and the expression of miR-9a was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot. Tests showed that the recombinant miR-9a vector was successfully constructed and the expression of miR-9a with EGFP was detected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Bombyx
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Plasmids
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins