title: Ciculating miRNA-21 as a Biomarker Predicts Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and infertility. In PCOS, abnormal regulation of relevant genes is required for follicular development. By binding to the 3' untranslated region (3'URT), microRNAs (miRNAs) are widely involved in posttranscriptional gene regulation. However, few studies have been conducted on circulating miRNA expression in PCOS. This study aims to describe altered expression of circulating miR-21 in PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of serum miRNAs of PCOS patients were explored using the TaqMan Low Density Array followed by individual quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. The protein level of LATS1 was determined using Western blot. To validate whether miR-21 targeted LATS1, the luciferase assay was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with normal subjects, the circulating level of miRNA-21 was significantly enhanced in PCOS patients. In PCOS patients, the expression levels of MST1/2, LATS1/2, TAZ were much lower than the control subjects. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that LATS1 was a downstream target of miR-21.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison with normal subjects, serum miR-21 is obviously increased in PCOS patients. Through targeting LATS1, miR-21 could prompt PCOS progression and could act as a novel non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis of PCOS.
authors.forename: Liyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Minmin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sifan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000328:Adult; D001665:Binding Sites; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D005819:Genetic Markers; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014162:Transfection; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D005819:Genetic Markers; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C092745:LATS1 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases