Murine microRNAs implicated in liver functions and aging process.
Small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in gene regulation in various cellular and developmental processes, including mechanisms of aging. Here, the mouse liver was used as a paradigm for the study of miRNAs implicated in the aging process in mammals. Expression profiling of 367 murine miRNAs (Sanger Version 8.2) was assessed in livers from 4 to 33 months old mice, and their predicted targets were compared with proteomic profiling data generated from the same animals. Gradual increases in the levels of miR-669c and miR-709 were observed from mid-age of 18-33 months, while miR-93 and miR-214 were significantly up-regulated only in extremely old liver. In contrast, we did not identify any miRNAs showing significant down-regulation with age. Interestingly, the up-regulated miRNAs' targets are associated with detoxification activity and regeneration capacity functions known to decline in old liver. In particular, three up-regulated miRNAs may contribute to the aging-related decline in oxidative defense by targeting various classes of glutathione S-transferases. Other proteins in decline in old liver and targeted by the up-regulated miRNAs are involved in mitochondrial functions or maintenance. Taken together, we identified the up-regulation of key miRNAs that may participate in the decline of regeneration and oxidative defense mechanisms in aging liver.
Maes
Olivier C
OC
Gheens Center on Aging & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
An
Jin
J
Sarojini
Harshini
H
Wang
Eugenia
E
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
D035683:MicroRNAs