title: MicroRNA 17-92 cluster regulates proliferation and differentiation of bovine granulosa cells by targeting PTEN and BMPR2 genes.
abstract: Granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation are key developmental steps involved in the formation of the dominant follicle eligible for ovulation. This process is, in turn, regulated by spatiotemporally emerging molecular events. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the molecular signatures believed to regulate granulosa cell function by fine-tuning gene expression. Previously, we showed that the miR-17-92 cluster was differentially expressed in granulosa cells from subordinate and dominant follicles at day 19 of the estrous cycle. However, the role of this miRNA cluster in bovine follicular cell function is not known. Therefore, in the present study, we investigate the role of the miR-17-92 cluster in granulosa cell function by using an in vitro model. Target prediction and luciferase assay analysis revealed that the miR-17-92 cluster coordinately regulated the PTEN and BMPR2 genes. Overexpression of the miR-17-92 cluster by using a mimic promoted granulosa cell proliferation and reduced the proportion of differentiated cells. However, cluster inhibition resulted in decreased proliferation and increased differentiation in granulosa cells. This was further supported by expression analysis of marker genes of proliferation and differentiation. The role of the miR-17-92 cluster was cross-validated by selective knockdown of its target genes by the short interfering RNA technique. Suppression of the PTEN and BMPR2 genes revealed similar phenotypic and molecular alterations as observed when the granulosa cells were transfected with the miR-17-92 cluster mimic. Thus, the miR-17-92 cluster is involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation by coordinately targeting the PTEN and BMPR2 genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Eryk
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreas
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.|Center of Integrated Dairy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.|Teaching & Research Station Frankenforst, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Königswinter, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoelker
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neuhoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tholen
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.|Center of Integrated Dairy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schellander
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany. tesfaye@itw.uni-bonn.de.|Center of Integrated Dairy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. tesfaye@itw.uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: Dawit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Dessie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salilew-Wondim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D011374:Progesterone; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase
keywords: BMPR2; Granulosa cells; PTEN; Proliferation and differentiation; microRNA 17–92 cluster