Investigation of Igf1 3UTRs in response to downhill treadmill exercise
In Igf1, there are three polyadenylation sites. The long 3UTR is less stable due to AU-rich regions and binding regions for downregulatory miRNAs. It was previously shown that IGF-1 expression increased when those miRNAs were blocked by their antagomirs. Given the roles of IGF-1 in muscle growth and function, it is important to know how Igf1 3UTRs are differentially utilized in different physiological and pathological conditions. For this reason, we exercised mdx and wildtype mice with a downhill treadmill running protocol and assessed the Igf1 3UTRs afterwards. This allowed us to understand the dynamics of the 3UTRs of Igf1 and to develop a therapeutic approach for enhanced IGF-1 expression in vitro.