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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
11:13
Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland
Published on: December 1, 2015
A microRNA, miR-101a, controls mammary gland development by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 expression
Tetsuya Tanaka1, Shingo Haneda, Kazuhiko Imakawa
1Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|March 14, 2009
Summary
MicroRNA miR-101a is crucial for mammary gland development, regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. It targets cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), influencing mammary gland tissue remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Mammary gland development involves complex processes of proliferation, differentiation, and involution.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression with critical roles in development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of specific miRNAs in mammary gland development.
- To identify the function and targets of miR-101a in mammary gland epithelial cells.
Main Methods:
- miRNA microarray analysis of HC11 cells and mammary gland tissue.
- Overexpression of miR-101a in HC11 cells.
- Analysis of beta-casein mRNA and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) mRNA and protein expression.
- Luciferase reporter assays to validate Cox-2 as a target.
Main Results:
- miR-101a expression increased during HC11 cell differentiation and mammary gland involution.
- Overexpression of miR-101a suppressed beta-casein mRNA expression and inhibited HC11 cell proliferation.
- miR-101a directly targets Cox-2 mRNA, suppressing its protein expression.
- Inhibition of HC11 cell proliferation by miR-101a is likely mediated through Cox-2.
Conclusions:
- miR-101a plays a significant role in regulating mammary gland development.
- miR-101a controls cell proliferation by targeting Cox-2, impacting mammary gland tissue remodeling.
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