A TSH-CREB1-microRNA loop is required for thyroid cell growth

Mol Endocrinol. 2011 Oct;25(10):1819-30. doi: 10.1210/me.2011-0014. Epub 2011 Aug 4.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) are an important class of regulators that participate in such biological functions as development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of miRNA in cell proliferation using a unique cell system, namely thyroid cells that require thyrotropin for their growth. Here, we report the identification of a set of five specific miRNA (miR-1, miR-28-A, miR-290-5p, miR-296-3p, and miR-297a), whose down-regulation by thyrotropin is required for thyroid cell growth. In fact, overexpression of these miRNA negatively affects cell growth. We show that three of these miRNA target cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)1, a thyrotropin-activated transcription factor, and that CREB1 binds the regulatory regions of the down-regulated miRNA. Hence, these data indicate that a synergistic loop involving thyrotropin, CREB1, and miRNA is required for thyroid cell proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Cyclin D2 / genetics
  • Cyclin D2 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Thyroid Gland / cytology*
  • Thyrotropin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Cyclin D2
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Thyrotropin