title: MiR-378 Plays an Important Role in the  Differentiation of Bovine Preadipocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adipocyte, the main cellular component of white adipose tissue, plays a vital role in energy balance in higher eukaryotes. In recent years, adipocytes have also been identified as a major endocrine organ involved in immunological responses, vascular diseases, and appetite regulation. In farm animals, fat content and categories are closely correlated with meat quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules, participate in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through regulating the transcription or translation of target mRNAs. MiR-378 plays an important role in a number of biological processes, including cell growth, cell differentiation, tumor cell survival and angiogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to identify and validate the target genes of miR-378. In vitro cell transfection, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot analysis, Oil Red O staining, and triglyceride content measurement were conducted to analyze the effects of miR-378 on bovine preadipocyte differentiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MiR-378 was induced during adipocyte differentiation. In the differentiated adipocytes overexpressing miR- 378, the volume of lipid droplets was enlarged, and the triglyceride content was increased. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of the adipocyte differentiation marker genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), were significantly elevated in the differentiated, mature adipocytes. In contrast, the mRNA expression level of preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) was markedly reduced. E2F transcription factor 2 (E2F2) and Ras-related nuclear (RAN)-binding protein 10 (RANBP10) were the two target genes of miR-378. The mRNA expression levels of E2F2 and RANBP10 did not significantly change in bovine preadipocytes overexpressing miR-378. However, the protein expression levels of E2F2 and RANBP10 were markedly reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MiR-378 promoted the differentiation of bovine preadipocytes. E2F2 and RANBP10 were the two target genes of miR-378, and might involve in the effects of miR-378 on the bovine preadipocyte differentiation.
authors.forename: Si-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yang-Yang
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Lian-Jiang
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Meng-Long
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Qing-Ying
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Bao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Li-Sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Jia-Bao
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050156:Adipogenesis; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050703:E2F2 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D050703:E2F2 Transcription Factor; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; D035683:MicroRNAs