miR-1275 controls granulosa cell apoptosis and estradiol synthesis by impairing LRH-1/CYP19A1 axis

miR-1275 is one of the microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed during follicular atresia in pig ovaries, as identified by a miRNA microarray assay in our previous study [1]. However, its functions in follicular atresia remain unknown. In this study, we showed that miR-1275 promotes early apoptosis of porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) and the initiation of follicular atresia, and inhibits E2 release and expression of CYP19A1, the key gene in E2 production. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays revealed that liver receptor homolog (LRH)-1, not CYP19A1, is a direct functional target of miR-1275. In vitro overexpression and knockdown experiments showed that LRH-1 significantly repressed apoptosis and induced E2 secretion and CYP19A1 expression in pGCs. LRH-1, whose expression was regulated by miR-1275, prevented apoptosis in pGCs. Furthermore, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that LRH-1 protein bound to the CYP19A1 promoter and increased its activity. Our findings suggest that miR-1275 attenuates LRH-1 expression by directly binding to its 3'UTR. This prevents the interaction of LRH-1 protein with the CYP19A1 promoter, represses E2 synthesis, promotes pGC apoptosis, and initiates follicular atresia in porcine ovaries.