科研之友
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摘要
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) controls the expression of liver-specific protein-coding genes. However, some microRNAs are also modulated by HNF4, and it is not known whether they are direct targets of HNF4 and whether they influence hepatic function. In this study, we found that HNF4 regulates microRNAs, indicated by marked down-regulation of miR-194 and miR-192 (miR-194/192) in liver-specific Hnf4a-null (Hnf4a(H)) mice. Transactivation of the shared miR-194/192 promoter was dependent on HNF4 expression, indicating that miR-194/192 is a target gene of HNF4. Screening of potential mRNAs targeted by miR-194/192 revealed that expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism (glycogenin 1 (Gyg1)), cell adhesion and migration (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam)), tumorigenesis and tumor progression (Rap2b and epiregulin (Ereg)), protein SUMOylation (Sumo2), epigenetic regulation (Setd5 and Cullin 4B (Cln4b)), and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (moesin (Msn)) was up-regulated in Hnf4a(H) mice. Moreover, we also found that miR-194/192 binds the 3-UTR of these mRNAs. siRNA knockdown of HNF4 suppressed miR-194/192 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and resulted in up-regulation of their mRNA targets. Inhibition and overexpression experiments with miR-194/192 revealed that Gyg1, Setd5, Sumo2, Cln4b, and Rap2b are miR-194 targets, whereas Ereg, Alcam, and Msn are miR-192 targets. These findings reveal a novel HNF4 network controlled by miR-194/192 that may play a critical role in maintaining the hepatocyte-differentiated state by inhibiting expression of genes involved in dedifferentiation and tumorigenesis. These insights may contribute to the development of diagnostic markers for early HCC detection, and targeting of the miR-194/192 pathway could be useful for managing HCC.
- 出版日期2017-6-23
- 单位NIH
