Research
MicroRNA-613 represses lipogenesis in HepG2 cells by downregulating LXRα
1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
2 Department of cardiology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
Lipids in Health and Disease 2013, 12:32 doi:10.1186/1476-511X-12-32
Published: 8 March 2013Abstract
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as new important regulators of lipid homeostasis by regulating corresponding genes. MiR-613 is a newly discovered microRNA, of which the biological function is unknown. A recent report has shown that miR-613 downregulates liver X receptor α (LXRα), a ligand-activated nuclear receptor playing an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect and the molecular basis of miR-613 on lipogenesis in HepG2 cells.
Methods
HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with miR-613 mimic or control microRNA. Real time PCR, Western blot, Luciferase reporter assay and Oil Red O staining were employed to examine the expression of LXRα and its target genes involved in lipogenesis, binding site for miR-613 in 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of LXRα mRNA and lipid droplet accumulation in the cells.
Results
MiR-613 dramatically suppressed the expression of LXRα and its target genes including sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Reporter assay showed that miR-613 directly bound to 3′-UTR of LXRα mRNA. Moreover, miR-613 significantly repressed LXRα-induced lipid droplet accumulation in HepG2 cells. Ectopic expression of LXRα without 3′-UTR markedly attenuated the miR-613-mediated downregulation of LXRα’s target genes and LXRα-induced lipid droplet accumulation.
Conclusions
MiR-613 suppresses lipogenesis by directly targeting LXRα in HepG2 cells, suggesting that miR-613 may serve as a novel target for regulating lipid homeostasis.
