Elsevier, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1(391), p. 727-732, 2010
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.11.128
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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a post-transcriptional layer of gene regulation shown to be involved in diverse physiological processes. We aimed to study whether regulatory networks that determine susceptibility to hypertension may involve a miRNA component. Screening of loci, involved in renal water–salt balance regulation, highlighted the mineralocorticoid receptor gene NR3C2 as a potential target for several miRNAs. A luciferase assay demonstrated that miR-124 and miR-135a suppress NR3C2 3′UTR reporter construct activity 1.5- and 2.2-fold, respectively. As the tested miRNAs did not reduce the levels of target mRNA, we suggest that the binding of miR-124 and miR-135a to NR3C2 3′UTR contributes to the translational, not transcriptional regulation of the gene. Co-expression of two different miRNAs did not increase the repression of the reporter gene, indicating no additive or synergistic effects between the tested miRNAs.