Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
12:21
MicroRNA In situ Hybridization for Formalin Fixed Kidney Tissues
Published on: November 30, 2013
15.2K
Role of microRNA 690 in Mediating Angiotensin II Effects on Inflammation and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Kalhara R Menikdiwela1, Latha Ramalingam1, Mostafa M Abbas2,3
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Obesity Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
Cells
|May 30, 2020
Summary
MicroRNA-690 (miR-690) protects against obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation by regulating angiotensinogen (Agt) and Angiotensin II (Ang II) pathways in adipocytes. Targeting miR-690 may reduce obesity.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Molecular biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity-induced renin-angiotensin system (RAS) overactivation disrupts adipocyte homeostasis, causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation.
- The precise molecular mechanisms linking RAS overactivation to adipocyte dysfunction remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in mediating ER stress and inflammation in adipose tissue due to RAS overactivation.
- To identify specific miRNAs and their targets involved in adipocyte dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized angiotensinogen (Agt) transgenic mice (Agt-Tg) and Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated adipocytes.
- Employed small RNA sequencing and microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed miRNAs and genes.
- Validated miR-690 and MAP2K3 expression using molecular assays and confirmed their regulatory relationship.
Main Results:
- miR-690 was significantly upregulated, while MAP2K3 was downregulated in Agt-Tg and Ang II-treated adipocytes.
- miR-690 directly targets and downregulates MAP2K3, subsequently reducing downstream inflammatory proteins (p38, NF-κB, IL-6, CHOP).
- These findings highlight a post-transcriptional regulatory role for miR-690 in mitigating ER stress and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- miR-690 exhibits a protective function against obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction.
- miR-690 represents a potential therapeutic target for reducing obesity-associated inflammation and ER stress.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway
6.7K
Eukaryotic cells have a special pathway that enables communication between various intracellular membrane-bound compartments and also with the extracellular environment. This pathway is termed as the secretory pathway.
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
6.7K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.6K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.6K
01:22MicroRNAs
23.7K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.7K
01:31Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
2.9K
Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...
2.9K
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
2.2K
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
2.2K
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
801
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
801