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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
07:54
Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
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MiR-486 regulates cholesterol efflux by targeting HAT1
Dan Liu1, Min Zhang1, Wei Xie1
1Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, Medical Research Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|December 15, 2015
Summary
MicroRNA-486 (miR-486) aggravates cholesterol accumulation in macrophages by targeting histone acetyltransferase-1 (HAT1). This mechanism promotes foam cell formation, contributing to atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophage cholesterol accumulation drives foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.
- MicroRNA-486 (miR-486) is implicated in cardiovascular diseases, but its mechanism remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if miR-486 regulates cholesterol efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1).
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-486 in cholesterol metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays.
- Transfection of miR-486 mimic/inhibitor and HAT1/shHAT1 in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.
- Analysis of gene and protein expression, histone acetylation, and cholesterol levels.
Main Results:
- miR-486 directly targets and downregulates histone acetyltransferase-1 (HAT1) expression.
- HAT1 positively regulates ABCA1 expression and histone H4 acetylation.
- miR-486 promotes cholesterol accumulation in macrophages via HAT1 downregulation.
Conclusions:
- miR-486 exacerbates cholesterol accumulation in THP-1 cells by targeting HAT1.
- This pathway represents a novel mechanism in the development of atherosclerosis.
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