GSE69274
Circulating microRNA and 5' tRNA halves signatures of genotype-by-age interactions in the longlived Ames dwarf mouse.
Recent evidence demonstrates that serum levels of specific small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) including miRNAs and 5' tRNA halves significantly change with age. The ability of circulating sncRNAs to act as signaling molecules and regulate a broad spectrum of cellular functions implicates them as key players in the aging process. To discover circulating sncRNAs that impact aging in the long-lived Ames dwarf mice, we conducted deep sequencing of small RNAs extracted from serum of young and old mice. Our analysis showed genotype-specific changes in the circulating levels of 43 miRNAs and 19 5' tRNA halves during aging [Genotype-by-Age interaction (GbA)]. GbA miRNAs showed four distinct expression patterns and significant over-targeting of transcripts involved in age-related processes.  Functional enrichment analysis of putative miRNA targets highlighted cellular processes such as tumor suppression, anti-inflammatory response, and modulation of Wnt, insulin, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways, among others. The comparative analysis of circulating GbA miRNAs in Ames mice with circulating miRNAs modulated by calorie restriction (CR) in another long-lived mouse suggests CR-like and CR-independent mechanisms contributing to longevity in the Ames mouse. In conclusion, we showed for the first time a signature of circulating miRNAs and 5'-tRNA halves modulated by age in the long-lived Ames mouse. Overall design: Comprehensive survey of miRNAs from young and old dwarf and normal mice.