MicroRNA-140-5p impairs zebrafish embryonic bone development via targeting BMP-2

FEBS Lett. 2016 May;590(10):1438-46. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.12190.

Abstract

MicroRNA-140-5p (miRNA-140-5p) is important for embryonic bone development. In this study, we found that miRNA-140-5p and its binding site in the 3'UTR of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) are highly conserved among vertebrates, and miRNA-140-5p negatively regulates both zebrafish and human BMP-2 genes. Microinjection of miRNA-140-5p or BMP-2b morpholino into zebrafish embryos led to a similar phenotype, including shortened tails, curved trunks, and defects in cranial cartilage. Moreover, miRNA-140-5p injection induced zebrafish embryo malformation that could be significantly rescued by microinjection of BMP-2 mRNA. In conclusion, our results indicated that miRNA-140-5p regulates zebrafish embryonic bone development via targeting BMP-2.

Keywords: BMP-2; bone and cartilage development; embryos; microRNA-140-5p; zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Bone Development*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / genetics*
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Embryonic Development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Vertebrates / genetics
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • MIRN140 microRNA, zebrafish
  • MicroRNAs
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • bmp2b protein, zebrafish