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Updated: Oct 12, 2025

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells
Published on: June 16, 2022
miR27a, a fine-tuning molecule, interacts with growth hormone (GH) signaling and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) via
Ajda Coker-Gurkan1, Kadriye Koyuncu2, Pinar Obakan Yerlikaya3
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering and Natural Sciences Faculty, Biruni University, Topkapı Campus, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey. ajdaaacoker@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Autocrine growth hormone (GH) expression triggers cell proliferation, invasion-metastasis in vitro and in vivo models, but GH gene mutations inhibit postnatal growth. Natural polyamines (PA); putrescine, spermidine, spermine trigger cell growth and differentiation. The importance of miR27a has shown to exert a suppressive effect on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) expression in dwarf mice models. We aimed to modulate the role of A13S, F166Δ, T24 GH gene mutations' impact on PA metabolism and epithelial-mesencyhmal transition (EMT) pathway through miR27a. Biologically active GH signaling triggered cell viability, growth, and colony formation, but T24A alteration significantly decreases aggressive profiles due to inactive GH signaling through a decline in STAT5 activity and expressions of STAT5, c-myc and ODC. Although statistically significant increase in intracellular PA levels in wt GH signaling HEK293 cells compared to HEK293 cells with a lack of GH signaling, a sharp decline in PA levels measured in each mutant GH expressing HEK293 cells. When we inhibited miR27a, proliferation and colony formation accelerated through a significant increase in putrescine levels and upregulation of ODC, STAT5 expression. In contrast, a substantial decline in GH-mediated colony enlargement observed via ODC, STAT5 downregulation, and PA depletion in both wt and mutant GH expressing HEK293 cell lines by miR27a mimic transfection. In conclusion, T24A mutant GH expression declines the GH signaling through STAT5 activity, and mutant GH signaling decreased cell proliferation, division, and colony formation via EMT inhibition. The autocrine GH-mediated proliferative profiles were under the control of miR27a that depletes intracellular putrescine levels via targeting ODC.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) mutations impact cell growth and metastasis. MicroRNA-27a (miR27a) regulates polyamine metabolism and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by targeting ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), influencing cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Autocrine growth hormone (GH) signaling promotes cell proliferation and metastasis.
- GH gene mutations can impair postnatal growth.
- Polyamines (PA) are crucial for cell growth and differentiation, and miR27a influences ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of specific GH gene mutations (A13S, F166Δ, T24) on PA metabolism and EMT.
- To explore the role of miR27a in modulating these effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized HEK293 cells expressing wild-type (wt) or mutant GH.
- Assessed cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, and intracellular PA levels.
- Manipulated miR27a levels using inhibitors and mimics.
- Measured STAT5, c-myc, and ODC expression.
Main Results:
- T24A GH mutation reduced aggressive profiles by decreasing GH signaling, STAT5 activity, and ODC expression.
- Mutant GH-expressing cells showed lower intracellular PA levels compared to wt GH cells.
- miR27a inhibition increased proliferation and putrescine levels via ODC and STAT5 upregulation.
- miR27a mimic transfection decreased GH-mediated proliferation by downregulating ODC, STAT5, and depleting PA.
Conclusions:
- The T24A GH mutation inhibits GH signaling, reducing cell proliferation and EMT.
- Autocrine GH-driven proliferation is regulated by miR27a, which controls putrescine levels through ODC targeting.
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