The intestinal factor Tff3 and a miRNA network regulate murine caloric metabolism

Genetic impairment of the genes coding for three mammalian trefoil peptides resulted in severe gastrointestinal malfunctions. The trefoil peptides also appear involved in caloric metabolism. Monitoring global miRNA expression of Tff3 deficient mice points to an interplay of Tff3 with a miRNA regulatory network. We identified 21 miRNAs that were deregulated when compared to the wild type strain. In silico evaluation indicated that the majority of the 21 miRNA were connected with the metabolic pathway "glycolysis/gluconeogenesis'' (p=0.032), a signaling pathway including nine target genes Aldh9a1, Aldh2, Pck1, Aldoc, Pgam2, Pck2, Adh4, Adh5, and Fbp1. Association of Tff3 with this metabolic pathway is further supported by the observation that the body mass of adult Tff3 KO mice (five months) showed a clearly reduced weight. Furthermore, the majority of the identified 21 miRNA genes are localized on murine chromosomes 2 and 5 in three clusters (2A1, 2B, 5B3) suggesting a coordinated expression control and function.