The role of micro-RNAs in the female reproductive tract

Abstract

Proper development and function of the female reproductive tract are essential for successful reproduction. Regulation of the differentiated functions of the organs that make up the female reproductive tract is well established to occur at multiple levels including transcription, translation, and posttranslational modifications. Micro-RNA (miRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism controlling normal tissue development and function. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNAs are expressed within the organs of the female reproductive tract where they function to regulate cellular pathways necessary for proper function of these organs. In this review, the functional significance of miRNAs in the development and function of the organs of the female reproductive tract is discussed. Initial discussion focuses on the role of miRNAs in the development of the organs of the female reproductive tract highlighting recent studies that clearly demonstrate that mice with disrupted Dicer1 expression are sterile, fail to develop uterine glands, and have muted estrogen responsiveness. Next, emphasis moves to discussion on our current knowledge on the characterization of miRNA expression in each of the organs of the female reproductive tract. When possible, information is presented and discussed with respect to regulation, function, and/or functional targets of these miRNA within each specific organ of the female reproductive tract.

Differential expression of vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1: Hormonal regulation of expression in the oviduct and in ovarian carcinomas from laying hens

“…MicroRNAs are essential regulators of cellular pathways for development and function of the female reproductive organs (Nothnick, 2012). Also, their expression can be modified by estrogen signaling mechanisms in various reproductive tissues (Klinge, 2012).…”

MicroRNAs 125a and 455 Repress Lipoprotein-Supported Steroidogenesis by Targeting Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I in Steroidogenic Cells

“…Thus, miRNA-145 may not necessarily lead to the modulation of specific predicted functions or targets, but it has been reported to function as a regulator of cell proliferation and as a tumor suppressor (20,69,79,84). A number of studies have attempted to identify and characterize miRNAs in adrenal and gonadal tissues and cells (18,24,45,47,48,50,54,63,68,80,81,83), but information about their potential targets or hormonal regulation is generally lacking except in a few instances. For example, miRNA-378 has been reported to regulate estradiol production in porcine granulosa cells by targeting aromatase (47).…”

MicroRNA in Ovarian Biology and Disease

“…Studies showing evidence of in vitro expression of miRNA involvement in varying aspects of granulosa cell functions are numerous and have been described in detail elsewhere (Luense et al 2009;Donadeu et al 2012;Nothnick 2012;Imbar and Eisenberg 2014). Unfortunately, most of the ovarian studies rely heavily on cultured granulosa cells or immortalized human granulosa cells lines treated with inhibitors or overexpression vectors, although critical in vivo functional validation studies are often lacking.…”