A 3′-Untranslated Region (3′UTR) Induces Organ Adhesion by Regulating miR-199a* Functions
2009

Versican 3'UTR Induces Organ Adhesion by Regulating miR-199a* Functions

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Daniel Y., Shatseva Tatiana, Jeyapalan Zina, Du William W., Deng Zhaoqun, Yang Burton B.

Primary Institution: Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada

Hypothesis

The non-coding 3'UTR plays a role in the regulation of miRNA function.

Conclusion

The expression of versican 3'UTR induces organ adhesion in transgenic mice by modulating miR-199a* activities.

Supporting Evidence

  • Transgenic mice expressing versican 3'UTR showed enhanced organ adhesion.
  • Expression of versican and fibronectin was up-regulated in transgenic mice.
  • Luciferase assays confirmed the binding of miR-199a* to the versican 3'UTR.
  • Cell adhesion assays indicated that down-regulation of the 3'UTR increased cell adhesion.
  • Histological analysis showed increased versican expression in various organs of transgenic mice.

Takeaway

This study shows that a part of a gene called 3'UTR can help organs stick together by changing how a tiny molecule called miRNA works.

Methodology

Transgenic mice expressing versican 3'UTR were created, and various assays including PCR, RT-PCR, and luciferase assays were performed to analyze gene expression and organ adhesion.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on a specific miRNA and its interaction with the 3'UTR, which may not represent all possible interactions.

Participant Demographics

Transgenic mice were used in the study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004527

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