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Mitochondria-related miR-141-3p contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction in HFD-induced obesity by inhibiting PTEN

Juan Ji1,2, Yufeng Qin1,2, Jing Ren1,2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.

Scientific Reports
|November 10, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondria-related microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-141-3p are implicated in obesity. This study shows miR-141-3p impairs mitochondrial function by inhibiting PTEN, contributing to obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Molecular Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondria-related microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cell metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics.
  • Obesity is associated with altered cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mitochondria-related miRNAs in obesity.
  • To elucidate the specific function of miR-141-3p in high-fat-diet induced obesity.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies using high-fat-diet (HFD) induced obese mice.
  • In vitro gain-and-loss-of-function studies in human HepG2 cells.
  • Molecular analyses including miRNA expression profiling, ATP production assays, oxidative stress measurements, and luciferase reporter gene assays.

Main Results:

  • Hepatic mitochondrial function was significantly altered in HFD mice.
  • miR-141-3p was markedly up-regulated in HFD mice.
  • miR-141-3p modulated ATP production, induced oxidative stress, and targeted phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN).
  • Inhibition of PTEN also affected mitochondrial function.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondria-related miR-141-3p plays a significant role in obesity.
  • miR-141-3p induces mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting PTEN.
  • This miRNA-target interaction contributes to obesity-related metabolic alterations.

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