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Published on: September 7, 2013
MicroRNA-27a-3p Inhibits Melanogenesis in Mouse Skin Melanocytes by Targeting Wnt3a
Yuanyuan Zhao1, Pengchao Wang2, Jinzhu Meng3
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China. 84840293@163.com.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the regulation of almost all the biological processes, including melanogenesis. MiR-27a-3p is nearly six times higher in white alpaca skin compared to brown skin, which indicates that miR-27a-3p may be a candidate regulator for melanogenesis. Wnt3a plays an important role in promoting melanoblasts to differentiate into melanocytes and melanogenesis. To confirm the function of miR-27a-3p to melanogenesis in mammals, miR-27a-3p mimic, inhibitor and their negative control were transfected into mouse melanocytes. As a result, miR-27a-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a at post-transcriptional level. A significant decrease in Wnt3a luciferase activity was observed in 293T cells co-transfected with the matched luciferase reporter vector and pre-miR-27a. Furthermore, the presence of exogenous miR-27a-3p significantly decreased Wnt3a protein expression rather than mRNA and reduced β-catenin mRNA levels in melanocytes. The over-expression of miR-27a-3p significantly increased the melanin content of melanocytes. However, miR-27a-3p inhibitor performs an opposite effect on melanogenesis. Wnt3a is one target of miR-27a-3p. MiR-27a-3p could inhibit Wnt3a protein amount by post-transcriptional regulation and melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. Previous studies reported that Wnt3a promoted melanogenensis in mouse melanocytes. Thus, miR-27-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a protein expression.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate biological processes like melanogenesis. This study shows that miR-27a-3p inhibits melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes by targeting Wnt3a at the protein level.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of biological processes, including melanogenesis, the process of melanin production.
- MiR-27a-3p levels are significantly higher in white alpaca skin than brown skin, suggesting a role in pigmentation.
- Wnt3a is known to promote melanocyte differentiation and melanogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of miR-27a-3p in mammalian melanogenesis.
- To determine the molecular mechanism by which miR-27a-3p regulates melanogenesis.
- To identify the target gene(s) of miR-27a-3p involved in this process.
Main Methods:
- Transfection of miR-27a-3p mimic and inhibitor into mouse melanocytes.
- Luciferase reporter assays to assess Wnt3a regulation.
- Analysis of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA and protein expression.
- Measurement of melanin content in melanocytes.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of miR-27a-3p inhibited melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a at the post-transcriptional level.
- miR-27a-3p significantly decreased Wnt3a protein expression and reduced β-catenin mRNA levels.
- miR-27a-3p mimic increased melanin content, while the inhibitor showed opposite effects.
- Wnt3a was confirmed as a direct target of miR-27a-3p.
Conclusions:
- MiR-27a-3p acts as an inhibitor of melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes.
- The inhibitory effect is mediated through the post-transcriptional repression of Wnt3a protein expression.
- MiR-27a-3p represents a novel regulator of pigmentation with potential implications in skin biology.
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