miRNA-29a targets COL3A1 to regulate the level of type III collagen in pig

• Published in: Gene 2016-10, Vol.592 (1), p.140-147
• Main Authors: Chuan-hao, Li, Wei, Chen, Jia-qing, Hu, Yan-dong, Wang, Shou-dong, Wang, Yong-qing, Zeng, Hui, Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Line; COL3A1; Collagen Type III - genetics; Collagen Type III - metabolism; Gene expression; Luciferase reporter assay; Meat - standards; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA-29a; Pig; Swine; Type III collagen
• ISSN: 0378-1119; 1879-0038
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.07.068

COL3A1 encodes the protein, collagen type III alpha 1, which is an important component of collagen. Collagen can have a considerable effect on the processing quality of meat, and is nutritious. Bioinformatic analysis using Targetscan showed that COL3A1 could be a target gene of miRNA-29a. Moreover, we found that Laiwu pigs have higher levels of type III collagen and lower levels of miRNA-29a than Landrace pigs. Therefore, we hypothesized that miRNA-29a suppresses the expression of COL3A1 by targeting its 3′-UTR. miRNA-29a appears to play an inhibitory role in the regulation of COL3A1 in PK15 cells because of the following: (1) overexpression of miRNA-29a resulted in a significant down-regulation of COL3A1 protein levels (2) overexpression of miRNA-29a significantly decreased the level of COL3A1 mRNA. (3) The activity of a COL3A1 luciferase reporter was significant reduced by miRNA-29a. Furthermore, the levels of miRNA-29a and collagen type III in four tissues in Laiwu and Landrace pigs were consistent with the above observations. In this study, we identified COL3A1 as a direct target for miRNA-29a, which will inform further studies of meat quality. •Laiwu pigs have higher levels of type III collagen and lower levels of miRNA-29a than Landrace pigs.•COL3A1 is a direct target for miRNA-29a in pig.•The levels of miRNA-29a and collagen type III in four tissues in pigs were consistent with the observations in PK15 cell.