miR‐26a inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in porcine immature Sertoli cells by targeting the PAK2 gene

Abstract

Accumulating reports have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in regulating the complex processes of animal testis development and spermatogenesis; yet, the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate spermatogenesis are poorly understood. miR-26a was identified as a miRNA that is differentially expressed among different pig testicular tissue developmental stages in our previous study. In this study, p21 activated kinase 2 (PAK2) gene was determined as one target gene of miR-26a by luciferase reporter assay, and miR-26a repressed the PAK2 mRNA abundance in porcine Sertoli cells. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay results showed that miR-26a overexpression inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in porcine Sertoli cells. These phenomena were similar to the siRNA-mediated knockdown of the PAK2 gene. Taken together, our results demonstrate that miR-26a inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in porcine Sertoli cells by targeting the PAK2 gene, which may be a regulator of porcine spermatogenesis.

Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars

“…h The quantification of PLCβ1 protein. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, PLCβ1, phospholipase C beta 1; UTR, Untranslated Region; ST, swine testis; NC, negative control; N.S., nonsignificant processes of animal testis development and spermatogenesis via their regulations of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation [29][30][31][32].…”

Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Duroc and Meishan boars

“…These miRNAs may serve potential roles in regulating testis development, and their speci c expressions may induce the differences in sexual maturity and spermatogenesis. A growing number of reports have revealed that miRNAs play important roles in the complex processes of animal testis development and spermatogenesis via their regulations of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation [29][30][31][32].…”

From Sperm Motility to Sperm-Borne microRNA Signatures: New Approaches to Predict Male Fertility Potential

“…Sperm motility, kinetics, vigor and hyperactivation levels, are morphofunctional features classically assessed by light microscopy or computer-assisted sperm analysis (i.e., CASA) (Vincent et al, 2012). In addition, since sperm motility requires a substantial amount of energy produced by mitochondrial activity (Piomboni et al, 2012), high fertility samples usually present with high mitochondrial membrane potential. This feature can be assessed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric approaches mainly using the JC-1 fluorescent probe, which forms J-aggregates when mitochondria are active FIGURE 1 | Concept of "healthy (viable) sperm."…”