MicroRNA- 1 represses Cx43 expression in viral myocarditis

Mol Cell Biochem. 2012 Mar;362(1-2):141-8. doi: 10.1007/s11010-011-1136-3. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly reported to have important roles in diverse biological and pathological processes. Changes in abundance of muscle-specific microRNA, miR-1, have been implicated in cardiac disease, including arrhythmia and heart failure. However, the specific molecular targets and cellular mechanisms involved in the miR-1 function in the heart are only beginning to emerge. In this study, we investigated miR-1 expression and its potential role in the mouse model of viral myocarditis (VMC). The expression levels of miR-1 and its target gene Connexin 43 (Cx43) were measured by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The miR-1 expression levels were significantly increased in cardiac myocytes from VMC mice in comparison with control samples (relative expression: 10 ± 2.5 vs. 31 ± 7.6, P < 0.05). Among the target genes of miR-1, the expression Cx43 protein was significantly reduced in such mice while there was no significant difference in the its mRNA levels. Our results revealed an inverse correlation between miR-1 levels and Cx43 protein expression in VMC samples. Using a bioinformatics-based approach, we found two identical potential binding sites were found in mouse miR-1 and Cx43 3'- untranslated region, this confirms a possible regulatory role of miR-1. In cultured, miRNA transfected myocardial cells, we show overexpression of miR-1 accompanied by a decrease in Cx43 protein's expression. There was only a slight (not statistically significant) drop in Cx43 mRNA levels. Our results indicate that miR-1 is involved in VMC via post-transcriptional repression of Cx43, and might constitute potentially valuable data for the development of a new approach in the treatment of this disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Connexin 43 / genetics
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / genetics*
  • Coxsackievirus Infections / metabolism
  • Enterovirus B, Human
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / genetics*
  • Myocarditis / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / virology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / virology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn1 microRNA, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger