MicroRNA 320a functions as a novel endogenous modulator of aquaporins 1 and 4 as well as a potential therapeutic target in cerebral ischemia.
Aquaporins facilitate efficient diffusion of water across cellular membranes, and water homeostasis is critically important in conditions such as cerebral edema. Changes in aquaporin 1 and 4 expression in the brain are associated with cerebral edema, and the lack of water channel modulators is often highlighted. Here we present evidence of an endogenous modulator of aquaporin 1 and 4. We identify miR-320a as a potential modulator of aquaporin 1 and 4 and explore the possibility of using miR-320a to alter the expression of aquaporin 1 and 4 in normal and ischemic conditions. We show that precursor miR-320a can function as an inhibitor, whereas anti-miR-320a can act as an activator of aquaporin 1 and 4 expressions. We have also shown that anti-miR-320a could bring about a reduction of infarct volume in cerebral ischemia with a concomitant increase in aquaporins 1 and 4 mRNA and protein expression.
Sepramaniam
Sugunavathi
S
Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Armugam
Arunmozhiarasi
A
Lim
Kai Ying
KY
Karolina
Dwi Setyowati
DS
Swaminathan
Priyadharshni
P
Tan
Jun Rong
JR
Jeyaseelan
Kandiah
K
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051398:Aquaporin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000906:Antibodies; D051401:Aquaporin 4; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051398:Aquaporin 1