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miR-18, a member of Oncomir-1, targets heat shock transcription factor 2 in spermatogenesis

Johanna K Björk1, Anton Sandqvist, Alexandra N Elsing

  • 1Department of Biosciences, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|August 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-18 (miR-18) plays a crucial role in male germ cell maturation by regulating heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) during spermatogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • The miR-17~92 cluster, including miR-18, is linked to cancer, but its physiological roles remain unclear.
  • Heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) is a transcription factor involved in development, including embryogenesis and gametogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the novel physiological function of miR-18 in mouse spermatogenesis.
  • To investigate the regulatory relationship between miR-18 and HSF2 in male germ cells.

Main Methods:

  • Direct targeting of HSF2 by miR-18 was demonstrated.
  • Cell-type-specific expression of miR-18 in mouse testis during spermatogenesis was analyzed.
  • The T-GIST method was developed and utilized to inhibit miR-18 in seminiferous tubules in vivo.

Main Results:

  • miR-18 directly targets and downregulates HSF2 protein levels in male germ cells.
  • miR-18 is highly abundant in testis and shows cell-type-specific expression during spermatogenesis.
  • Inhibition of miR-18 in vivo resulted in increased HSF2 protein and altered expression of HSF2 target genes.

Conclusions:

  • miR-18 plays a significant role in regulating HSF2 activity during spermatogenesis.
  • This study links miR-18 to HSF2-mediated processes essential for male germ cell maturation.

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