Frontiers in Endocrinology (Dec 2021)

Let-7e-5p Regulates IGF2BP2, and Induces Muscle Atrophy

  • Takuro Okamura,
  • Hiroshi Okada,
  • Hiroshi Okada,
  • Yoshitaka Hashimoto,
  • Saori Majima,
  • Takafumi Senmaru,
  • Naoko Nakanishi,
  • Mai Asano,
  • Masahiro Yamazaki,
  • Masahide Hamaguchi,
  • Michiaki Fukui

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.791363
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Background and AimsTo understand the role of microRNAs in muscle atrophy caused by androgen-depletion, we performed microarray analysis of microRNA expression in the skeletal muscles of Sham, orchiectomized (ORX), and androgen-treated ORX mice.MethodsTo clarify role and mechanisms of let-7e-5p in the muscle, the effect of let-7e-5p overexpression or knockdown on the expression of myosin heavy chain, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial function was investigated in C2C12 myotube cells. Moreover, we examined serum let-7e-5p levels among male subjects with type 2 diabetes.ResultsWe found that the expression of the miRNA, lethal (let)-7e-5p was significantly lower in ORX mice than that in Sham mice (p = 0.027); however, let-7e-5p expression in androgen-treated ORX mice was higher (p = 0.047). Suppression of let-7e-5p significantly upregulated the expression of myosin heavy chain, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial function. Real-time PCR revealed a possible regulation involving let-7e-5p and Igf2bp2 mRNA and protein in C2C12 cells. The serum let-7e-5p levels were significantly lower, which might be in compensation, in subjects with decreased muscle mass compared to subjects without decreased muscle mass. Let-7e-5p downregulates the expression of Igf2bp2 in myotube cells and inhibits the growth of the myosin heavy chain.ConclusionsBased on our study, serum level of let-7e-5p may be used as a potential diagnostic marker for muscle atrophy.

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