Expression of microRNAs is dynamically regulated during cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2007 Jun;42(6):1137-41. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.04.004. Epub 2007 Apr 14.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered class of approximately 22-nucleotide regulatory RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. We have recently demonstrated that muscle-specific miRNAs miR-1 and miR-133 play an important role in modulating muscle proliferation and differentiation. Here, we investigate the involvement of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy. We analyzed the global expression of miRNAs in agonist-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes as well as in pressure overload-induced hypertrophic hearts and found the miRNA expression profile altered in those hypertrophic conditions. We further show that inhibition of endogenous miR-21 or miR-18b augments hypertrophic growth. Conversely, introduction of functional miR-21 or miR-18b into cardiomyocytes represses myocyte hypertrophy. Together, our studies point to miRNAs as critical regulators of cardiac hypertrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Hypertrophy / metabolism
  • Hypertrophy / pathology
  • Hypertrophy / physiopathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology*
  • Rats
  • Transfection

Substances

  • MicroRNAs