MicroRNA-21a-5p Functions on the Regulation of Melanogenesis by Targeting Sox5 in Mouse Skin Melanocytes

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2016-07, Vol.17 (7), p.959-959
• Main Authors: Wang, Pengchao, Zhao, Yuanyuan, Fan, Ruiwen, Chen, Tianzhi, Dong, Changsheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3' Untranslated Regions; Animals; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Melanins - metabolism; Melanocytes - metabolism; Melanoma; Mice; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor - genetics; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor - metabolism; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Monophenol Monooxygenase - genetics; Monophenol Monooxygenase - metabolism; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Rodents; Skin - cytology; Skin - metabolism; Skin cancer; SOXD Transcription Factors - genetics; SOXD Transcription Factors - metabolism
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms17070959

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating almost all biological processes. miRNAs bind to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs by sequence matching. In a previous study, we demonstrated that miR-21 was differently expressed in alpaca skin with different hair color. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms for miR-21 to regulate the coat color are not yet completely understood. In this study, we transfected miR-21a-5p into mouse melanocytes and demonstrated its function on melanogenesis of miR-21a-5p by targeting Sox5, which inhibits melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. The results suggested that miR-21a-5p targeted Sox5 gene based on the binding site in 3' UTR of Sox5 and overexpression of miR-21a-5p significantly down-regulated Sox5 mRNA and protein expression. Meanwhile, mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) and Tyrosinase (TYR) were up-regulated, which subsequently make the melanin production in melanocytes increased. The results suggest that miR-21a-5p regulates melanogenesis via MITF by targeting Sox5.