miR‐497 induces apoptosis by the IRAK2/NF‐κB axis in the canine mammary tumour

Since companion dogs have the same living environment as humans, they are a good animal model for the study of human diseases; this is especially true of canine spontaneous mammary tumours models. A better understanding of the natural history and molecular mechanisms of canine mammary tumour is of great significance in comparative medicine. Here, we collected canine mammary tumour cases and then assayed the clinical cases by pathological examination and classification by HE staining and IHC. miRNA‐497 family members (miR‐497, miR‐16, miR‐195 and miR‐15) were positively correlated with the breast cancer marker genes p63 and PTEN. Modulation of the expression of miR‐497 in the canine mammary tumour cell lines CMT1211 and CMT 7364 induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation. Mechanistically, IRAK2 was shown to be a functional target of miR‐497 that affects the characteristics of cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of the NF‐κB pathway. Overall, our work reveals the miR‐497/IRAK2/NF‐κB axis as a vital mechanism of canine mammary tumour progression and suggests this axis as a target in breast cancer.     

MiR‐330‐5p negatively regulates ovine preadipocyte differentiation by targeting branched‐chain aminotransferase 2

The differentiation of preadipocytes into adipose tissues is tightly regulated by various factors including microRNAs and cytokines. This article aims to study the effect of miR‐330‐5p on expression of BCAT2 in ovine preadipocytes. Ovine preadipocytes were isolated, and we found that the miR‐330‐5p expression decreased gradually during the early differentiation of ovine preadipocytes, while BCAT2 expression increased. BCAT2 was identified as a direct target of miR‐330‐5p, ectopic expression of miR‐330‐5p could change the expression of both BCAT2 mRNA and protein. Silencing BCAT2 had the same inhibition effects as overexpressing miR‐330‐5p on the preadipocyte differentiation, but overexpressing BCAT2 had the converse effects. Taken together, we demonstrated that miR‐330‐5p is a negative regulator of differentiation by targeting BCAT2, and clarified the role of BCAT2 and miR‐330‐5p during preadipocyte differentiation.     

Bta‐miR‐152 affects intracellular triglyceride content by targeting the UCP3 gene

According to our previous studies, bta‐miR‐152, PRKAA1 and UCP3 are differentially expressed in mammary gland tissues of high milk fat and low milk fat cows, and the trend in bta‐miR‐152 expression is opposite from those of PRKAA1 and UCP3. To further identify the function and regulatory mechanism of bta‐miR‐152 in milk fat metabolism, we investigated the effect of bta‐miR‐152 on cellular triglyceride content in bovine mammary epithelial cells cultured in vitro, on the basis of bta‐miR‐152 overexpression and inhibition assays. The target genes of bta‐miR‐152 were identified through qPCR, Western blotting and dual luciferase reporter gene detection. Compared with that in the control group, the expression of UCP3 was significantly lower in the bta‐miR‐152 mimic group, the expression of PRKAA1 was decreased, and the intracellular TAG content was significantly increased. After transfection with bta‐miR‐152 inhibitor, the expression of UCP3 increased significantly, and the expression of PRKAA1 decreased, but the difference was not significant; in addition, the intracellular TAG content decreased significantly. Therefore, we concluded that bta‐miR‐152 affects the intracellular TAG content by targeting UCP3.     

MicroRNA‐145 regulates immune cytokines via targeting FSCN1 in Staphylococcus aureus‐induced mastitis in dairy cows

Dairy cow mastitis is a detrimental factor in milk quality and food safety. Mastitis generally refers to inflammation caused by infection by pathogenic microorganisms. Our studies in recent years have revealed the role of miRNA regulation in Staphylococcus aureus‐induced mastitis. In the present study, we overexpressed and suppressed miR‐145 to investigate the function of miR‐145 in Mac‐T cells. Flow cytometry, ELISA and EdU staining were used to detect changes in the secretion of several Mac‐T cytokines and in cell proliferation. We found that overexpression of miR‐145 in Mac‐T cells significantly reduced the secretion of IL‐12 and TNF‐α, but increased the secretion of IFN‐γ; the proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells was also inhibited. Using quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), Western blotting and luciferase multiplex verification techniques, we found that miR‐145 targeted and regulated FSCN1. Knock‐down of FSCN1 significantly increased the secretion of IL‐12, while the secretion of TNF‐α was significantly downregulated in Mac‐T cells. Upon S. aureus infection of mammary gland tissue, the body initiated inflammatory responses; Bta‐miR‐145 expression was downregulated, which reduced the inhibitory effect on the FSCN1 gene; and upregulation of FSCN1 expression promoted mammary epithelial cell proliferation to allow the recovery of damaged tissue. The results of the present study will aid in understanding the immune mechanism opposing S. aureus infection in dairy cows and will provide a laboratory research basis for the prevention and treatment of mastitis.     

MiR‐222 inhibits apoptosis in porcine follicular granulosa cells by targeting the THBS1 gene

Apoptosis of granulosa cells affects follicular atresia and reproduction and is regulated by miRNAs and the expression of certain genes. For the present study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between microRNA‐222 (miR‐222) and THBS1 in porcine follicular granulosa cells (pGCs) and its effects on apoptosis to provide empirical data for developing methods to improve pig fecundity. Results revealed that miR‐222 promotes the proliferation of pGCs. MiRNA mimics and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR‐222 functions as an anti‐apoptotic factor in pGCs. MiR‐222 mimics in pGCs result in the upregulation of the anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 gene, down‐regulation of the proapoptotic caspase‐3 gene, and inhibition of apoptosis. MiR‐222 inhibitors reduced BCL‐2 and had no significant effect on caspase‐3. MiR‐222 mimics promoted estrogen levels. Inhibition of THBS1 inhibited pGC apoptosis. Transfection of THBS1‐siRNA reduced the proapoptotic BAX gene. MiR‐222 can directly target the 3′‐untranslated region of the THBS1 gene. MiR‐222 mimics suppressed THBS1 mRNA and proteins, but these were upregulated by the miR‐222 inhibitor. Transfection of THBS1‐siRNA resulted in the inhibition of the miR‐222 inhibitor, which suggests that miR‐222 inhibits pGC apoptosis by targeting THBS1. These findings suggest that miR‐222 and THBS1 play important roles in follicular atresia, ovarian development, and female reproduction.     

Rno‐miR‐425‐5p targets the DLST and SLC16A1 genes to reduce liver damage caused by excessive energy mobilization under cold stress

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded non‐coding small RNA molecules, which participate in the regulation of many physiological processes, and play a crucial role in cancer, metabolism and other processes. Rno‐miR‐425‐5p has been shown to play a role in the response to cold stress. To explore the mechanism by which rno‐miR‐425‐5p regulates the response to cold stress, we analysed the candidate target genes of rno‐miR‐425‐5p. After verification in rat hepatocyte BRL cells and in rat liver tissue, we identified several target genes that were altered in expression in response to cold stress. In rat liver tissue, the expression of rno‐miR‐425‐5p was significantly increased and the expression levels of target genes DLST and SLC16A1 were decreased under cold stress. The miRNA and mRNA levels were analysed by quantitative real‐time PCR and the protein levels were detected by Western blot analysis. Combined with the results of bioinformatic analysis, we concluded that rno‐miR‐425‐5p reduced the expression of DLST and SLC16A1, inhibiting energy release from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and preventing the liver from being injured by excessive energy mobilization.     

miR‐26a suppresses autophagy in swine Sertoli cells by targeting ULK2

A large number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been detected from porcine testicular tissues thanks to the development of high‐throughput sequencing technology. However, the regulatory roles of most identified miRNAs in swine testicular development or spermatogenesis are poorly understood. In our previous study, ULK2 (uncoordinated‐51‐like kinase 2) was predicted as a target gene of miR‐26a. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR‐26a in swine Sertoli cell autophagy. The relative expression of miR‐26a and ULK2 levels has a significant negative correlation (R² = .5964, p ≤ .01) in nine developmental stages of swine testicular tissue. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay results show that miR‐26a directly targets the 3′UTR of the ULK2 gene (position 618–624). In addition, both the mRNA and protein expression of ULK2 were downregulated by miR‐26a in swine Sertoli cells. These results indicate that miR‐26a targets the ULK2 gene and downregulates its expression in swine Sertoli cells. Based on the expression of marker genes (LC3, p62 and Beclin‐1), overexpression of miR‐26a or knock‐down of ULK2 inhibits swine Sertoli cell autophagy. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that miR‐26a suppresses autophagy in swine Sertoli cells by targeting ULK2.     

植物miR156及靶基因SPL家族的研究进展

SPL(SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like)是绿色植物所特有的一类转录因子,其部分家族成员含有miR156结合位点,在转录水平上受miR156负调控.在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、水稻(Oryza sativa)等模式植物中,miR156-SPL不仅参与植物的开花调控,同时具有介导植物生育阶段转变、调节植物次生代谢、参与植物光信号转导和胁迫响应等作用.随着生物技术的发展,关于植物中miR156-SPL的研究越来越多,本研究重点阐述miR156-SPL模块在调控植物开花、株型结构、果实发育、胁迫响应等方面的作用及其机制,为进一步探索miR156-SPL模块在草类植物中的功能奠定基础.     

miR396-MsGRFs参与调控紫花苜蓿愈伤组织再生

紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)愈伤组织再生率受基因型限制,是影响苜蓿遗传转化效率的主要因素之一。研究发现,GRF转录因子家族基因在提高多种植物愈伤再生中起着重要促进作用。本试验以拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)AtGRF序列为模板,在紫花苜蓿基因组序列中查找,获得了含有miR396靶点的9个MsGRFs基因。除MsGRF3a和MsGRF4a外,其余7个MsGRFs在紫花苜蓿胚性愈伤组织中的表达量均显著高于非胚性愈伤。为了进一步研究MsGRFs对紫花苜蓿愈伤再生效率的影响,我们在紫花苜蓿中转入MIM396基因,降低miR396的表达。结果显示：MIM396植株叶片愈伤组织再生时间显著缩短,再生率显著提高;与野生型愈伤组织相比,在MIM396植株叶片诱导的愈伤组织中,除MsGRF3a外,其余MsGRFs显著高表达。以上研究表明,miR396-MsGRF通路对苜蓿愈伤组织再生起着重要调控作用,这为提高苜蓿再生效率,并打破基因型对不同苜蓿品种再生的限制提供候选基因。     

植物miR159靶向MYB基因家族的调控作用及其跨界调控哺乳动物生理功能的研究进展

植物miR159靶向MYB基因家族在植物的生长发育、新陈代谢、逆境响应及病原防御等多种生理过程中发挥关键作用。植物miR159可以跨界调控哺乳动物的生理功能,如抑制肿瘤生长、改善能量代谢、抗氧化应激、调节机体免疫功能等。阐述了miR159通过调控MYB基因家族参与多种植物营养生长、逆境胁迫、开花和果实发育过程,以及外源性植物miR159跨界调控哺乳动物生理功能和对乳腺癌的调控作用,以期为后续深入研究植物miR159的调控网络以及跨物种调控机制提供参考。     

miR-140-5p对前脂肪细胞3T3-L1成脂分化的机制研究

【目的】研究miR-140-5p在前脂肪细胞（3T3-L1）成脂分化过程中的功能及其作用机制。【方法】待3T3-L1细胞汇合度达100%时诱导其成脂分化，收集分化第―1（诱导分化前1 d）、0、1、2、3、5、7天的细胞，用实时荧光定量PCR检测miR-140-5p相对表达量；将miR-140-5p mimics、NC转染3T3-L1细胞并诱导成脂分化，油红O染色观察脂滴形成情况，实时荧光定量PCR检测成脂标志基因CAAT增强子结合蛋白β（C/EBPβ）、CAAT增强子结合蛋白δ（C/EBPδ）与过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）相对表达量；利用miRandn和TargetScan在线网站预测miR-140-5p的靶基因；通过对比序列差异分析P300/CBP相关因子（PCAF）的3'-UTR序列中与miR-140-5p的结合位点序列在小鼠、人等不同物种间的序列保守性。将miR-140-5p mimics、inhibitor、NC转染3T3-L1细胞并诱导成脂分化，实时荧光定量PCR检测miR-140-5p、PCAF相对表达量，Western blotting检测PCAF蛋白水平；将PEGFP-N1-PCAF、PEGFP-N1转染3T3-L1细胞，油红O染色观察脂滴形成情况，实时荧光定量PCR检测PCAF、C/EBPδ、PPARγ基因相对表达量，Western blotting检测C/EBPβ、C/EBPδ、PPARγ蛋白表达水平。将3条PCAF siRNA（siRNA1、siRNA2、siRNA3）、siRNA NC转染3T3-L1细胞，Western blotting法检测PCAF蛋白水平，筛选最佳PCAF siRNA。将最佳PCAF siRNA和siRNA NC转染3T3-L1细胞，油红O染色观察脂滴形成情况，实时荧光定量PCR检测PCAF、C/EBPβ、C/EBPδ与PPARγ基因相对表达量，Western blotting检测C/EBPβ、PPARγ蛋白表达水平。分别将miR-140-5p mimics、NC与PGL0-PCAF 3'-UTR载体和PGLO空载体共转染293T细胞，用双荧光素酶报告试验检测miR-140-5p与PCAF的靶向关系。【结果】在诱导3T3-L1细胞成脂分化过程中，与诱导分化前1 d相比，在细胞成脂分化第1、2天时miR-140-5p相对表达量极显著升高（P＜0.01），在分化第3天时显著升高（P＜0.05）。与NC组相比，miR-140-5p mimics组脂滴数量明显增加，miR-140-5p mimics组成脂标志基因C/EBPδ与PPARγ相对表达量均极显著升高（P＜0.01）。靶基因预测结果表明，miR-140-5p与PCAF存在预期结合位点；保守性分析结果表明，靶基因PCAF结合位点序列在不同物种间具有高度保守性。与NC组相比，mimics组miR-140-5p和PCAF相对表达量均极显著升高（P＜0.01），inhibitor组miR-140-5p极显著降低（P＜0.01）、PCAF显著降低（P＜0.05），PCAF蛋白表达量显著升高（P＜0.05）。与PEGFP-N1组相比，PEGFP-N1-PCAF组脂滴数量增多，PCAF、PPARγ基因相对表达量和C/EBPβ、C/EBPδ蛋白水平极显著升高（P＜0.01），PPARγ蛋白水平显著升高（P＜0.05）。PCAF siRNA1、siRNA2与siRNA3均极显著抑制PCAF蛋白的表达（P＜0.01），siRNA3的效果最显著，因此选择siRNA3进行后续试验。与NC组相比，PCAF siRNA3组3T3-L1细胞中脂滴数量较少，PCAF、C/EBPβ、C/EBPδ、PPARγ基因相对表达量和C/EBPβ蛋白水平均极显著下降（P＜0.01）。双荧光素酶报告试验结果显示，miR-140-5p与PCAF基因之间无靶标关系。【结论】内源性miR-140-5p在3T3-L1细胞分化过程中表达升高，miR-140-5p可能通过间接上调PCAF基因表达促进3T3-L1细胞成脂分化。     

Variations in protein and fat contents and their fractions in milk from two species fed different forages

This study aimed at determining the variations in milk constituents which could be varied by feed and animal species. To achieve this goal, two groups of homoparity Baladi cows and Egyptian buffaloes (n = 20 per species) were used. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 10): subgroup I received legume forage (Egyptian clover) and subgroup II received grass forage (sorghum forage). All experimental animals were fed the diet consisting of concentrate, forage and rice straw as 50, 25 and 25% of dry matter intake respectively. Milk samples were taken for analysis. The trial lasted until the 3rd month of parturition. The main results indicated that lactating cattle fed legume forage significantly (p ≤ 0.01) had more content of casein nitrogen (513 mg/100 ml milk), lower content of glutamic acid (23.56 g/100 g milk protein) and more content of cis‐9, trans‐11 18:2 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (0.77 g/100 g milk fat) compared with 433, 26.67 and 0.53, respectively, for cattle fed grass forage. With regard to the species effect, results showed that buffalo milk appeared to contain significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) contents of casein nitrogen, phenylalanine, glutamic and arachidonic acid compared with cow's milk. However, the latter was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) more in the cis‐9, trans‐11CLA (0.59 g/100 g milk fat) than that in buffalo milk (0.47 g/100 g milk fat). The results revealed that not only forage type played a critical role in determining the variations of milk nitrogen distribution, milk amino acids and fatty acids but also animal species had a significant effect on these parameters.     

Chemical form of dietary l‐Carnitine affects plasma but not tissue Carnitine concentrations in male Sprague–Dawley rats

In Experiment 1, rats (n = 54) were randomly assigned to control or one of the four sources of l ‐Carnitine supplemented at either 100 or 200 μmol/kg/day and were allowed to acclimate for 14 days. Following a 12‐h fast, plasma samples were obtained at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480 and 720 min after l ‐Carnitine feeding and assayed for free l ‐Carnitine concentration. Plasma‐free l ‐Carnitine levels were affected by time after treatment intake (p < 0.0001) and l ‐Carnitine source (p < 0.0001). The time × source interaction was not statistically significant (p = 0.99). In Experiment 2, rats (n = 54) were randomly assigned to control or one of the four sources of l ‐Carnitine at either 100 or 200 μmol/kg/day and were acclimated as in experiment 1. Rats were sacrificed 120 min after feeding. Samples of liver and skeletal muscle were obtained and assayed for free l ‐Carnitine concentration. Neither skeletal muscle (p = 0.44) or liver (p = 0.59) tissue concentrations of l ‐Carnitine were affected by any l ‐Carnitine source as compared with the control. We conclude that some differences exist in plasma concentrations of free l ‐Carnitine following ingestion of different chemical forms of l ‐Carnitine. It is unclear if these differences in the circulating concentration of free l ‐Carnitine translate into any physiological differences for the animal. In this study, chemical form of l ‐Carnitine had no effect on skeletal muscle or liver tissue concentrations of l ‐Carnitine in young male Wistar rats.