Role of microRNA-21 in regulating 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin expression

Abstract

MicroRNAs are endogenous small RNAs with a high degree of conservation, participating in a variety of vital activities. In present study, to explore the effect of microRNAs on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin expression, the adipo-related microRNAs were screened and identified by micorRNA microarray. The highly expression plasmid of microRNA-21 with obvious expression up-regulation (miR-21) and its anti-sense (miR-21 inhibitor) were constructed and transfected into 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The effect of miR-21 on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation was observed, and the protein and mRNA expression level of adiponectin and AP-1 were analyzed. Results showed that, the expression profiles of microRNAs significantly changed during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. The expression of miR-21 was obviously up-regulated. miR-21 could significantly promote adipocyte differentiation, increase adiponectin mRNA and protein expression, while decrease AP-1 protein level. Meanwhil, miR-21 inhibitor blocked the effects of miR-21 mentioned above. The overexpression of AP-1 could absolutely reverse the stimulatory effect of miR-21 on adiponectin. miR-21 plays an important role in regulating adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin expression by inhibiting AP-1 expression.

MicroRNA-193b Controls Adiponectin Production in Human White Adipose Tissue

“…Research in the field describes the regulation of miRNAs by adiponectin (11) or the regulation of adiponectin receptor expression by miRNAs (12,13). In murine cells, miR-21 and miR-378 have been reported to regulate adiponectin expression (14,15). Our results thus add an additional regulatory layer, namely the regulation of adiponectin itself by miRNA in human adipocytes.…”

Stress-activatedmiR-21/miR-21*in hepatocytes promotes lipid and glucose metabolic disorders associated with high-fat diet consumption

“…In this regard, it is interesting to note that circulating levels of miR-21 are increased in human patients with NAFLD43 which may potentially impact the adipose tissue physiology. Indeed, recent studies reported a role for miR-21 in adipocyte differentiation 67 68. Whether circulating miR-21 may promote IR and glucose intolerance in muscle or adipose tissue, thereby explaining the increased glucose tolerance observed in LImi21RKO mice fed an HFD, is currently unknown and under investigation.…”

MicroRNA-378 Regulates Adiponectin Expression in Adipose Tissue: A New Plausible Mechanism

“…Although pivotal transcription factors involved in Adipoq expression have been previously identified [6], the mechanisms for Adipoq regulation remain obscure. There are reports showing an association between miRNA and adiponectin [19], [20], but there are only few reports investigating the possibility that miRNAs could directly regulate Adipoq transcription [21]. We sought putative target sites for miRNAs in the 3'UTR of the adiponectin gene using TargetScan and PicTar and found that miRNA-378 could directly target the 3'UTR of adiponectin.…”