miR-137 modulates coelomocyte apoptosis by targeting 14-3-3ζ in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in the host immune response and play a pivotal role in host-pathogen interactions by suppressing the transcriptional and post-transcriptional expression of target genes. miR-137, a well-documented tumor repressor, was previously found by high-throughput sequencing to be differentially expressed in diseased specimens of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. In this study, we identified 14-3-3ζ protein (Aj14-3-3ζ) as a novel target of miR-137 using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) and transcriptome screening. Expression analysis indicated that consistently depressed expression profiles of miR-137 and Aj14-3-3ζ were detected in both LPS-exposed primary coelomocytes and Vibrio splendidus-challenged sea cucumbers, suggesting a positive regulatory interaction. Consistently, miR-137 overexpression or inhibition in vitro and in vivo showed no effect on Aj14-3-3ζ mRNA levels, but the concentration of Aj14-3-3ζ protein was induced or repressed, respectively. Moreover, siRNA-mediated Aj14-3-3ζ knockdown in vivo decreased both mRNA and protein expression levels of Aj14-3-3ζ and significantly promoted coelomocyte apoptosis as assessed by flow cytometry, consistent with miR-137 inhibition. Overall, these results enhance our understanding of miR-137 regulatory roles in sea cucumber pathogenesis.
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Miao
M
Lv
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Huahui
H
Chen
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Yina
Y
Shao
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China. Electronic address: lichenghua@nbu.edu.cn.
Chenghua
C
Li
Louisiana State University, Agricultural Center, USA.
Wei
W
Xu
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Weiwei
W
Zhang
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Xuelin
X
Zhao
School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, China.
Xuemei
X
Duan
D048948:14-3-3 Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D040901:Proteomics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D012616:Sea Cucumbers / Q000276:immunology*; D014733:Vibrio / Q000276:immunology*; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000276:immunology*
D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C551799:MIRN137 microRNA, mouse; D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
14-3-3ζ; Apostichopus japonicus; Coelomocyte apoptosis; miR-137