MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs ~21 to ~23 nucleotides in length and have become a popular research topic in recent years due to their regulation of gene expression and many physiological processes, including fat metabolism; however, the precise functional mechanisms underlying their regulation of fat metabolism are not fully understood. Here, we identified miR-381, which specifically targets the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of potassium channel tetramerization-domain-containing 15 (KCTD15) , and verified the mechanism regulating its expression and participation in adipogenesis. We used a dual luciferase-reporter assay and transfection-mediated miR-381 overexpression and inhibition in Yanbian yellow cattle preadipocytes to investigate the role of miR-381 in adipogenesis. The results showed that miR-381 directly targets the 3' UTR of KCTD15 and downregulates its expression. Additionally, miR-381 overexpression using an miRNA mimic promoted triglyceride accumulation and upregulated adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) at both the protein and mRNA levels, whereas miR-381 inhibition produced the opposite effect. These results indicated that miR-381 regulates the differentiation of Yanbian yellow cattle preadipocytes by inhibiting KCTD15 expression, thereby highlighting the importance of miRNA-mediated regulation of adipogenesis. Furthermore, our findings suggested that miR-381 and its target gene(s) might represent new targets for investigating intramuscular fat deposits in cattle and treating human obesity.
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