title: MicroRNA-7a2 suppression causes hypogonadotropism and uncovers signaling pathways in gonadotropes.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of a variety of biological processes and pathways. In this issue of the JCI, Ahmed et al. reveal that miR-7a2 is a critical regulator of sexual maturation and reproductive function, as mice lacking miR-7a2 develop hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility. Using a bioinformatics approach, the authors identified several miR-7a2 target genes and pathways that have not been previously associated with gonadotropin biosynthesis and/or secretion. Together, these results identify miR-7a2-regulated genes involved in reproductive hormone biosynthesis pathways and provide a framework for future studies aimed at understanding rare reproductive conditions.
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D052681:Gonadotrophs / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C549243:MIRN7 microRNA, mouse; D035683:MicroRNAs