microRNA-122 regulates NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting IκBα in miiuy croaker, Miichthys miiuy

The inhibitory protein IκBα plays a key role in the inflammatory process and immune response by regulating the activity of the transcription factor NF-κB. microRNA (miR) is a small non-coding RNA that can regulate many biochemical processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, and immune response. In this study, it was first predicted that IκBα is the target of miR-122 through bioinformatics, and it was confirmed by dual fluorescence experiments. Then we found that miR-122 can inhibit the expression of IκBα at the mRNA and protein levels, thereby promoting the p65-activated NF-κB pathway. It is speculated that miR-122 plays an important role in the innate immunity of teleost fish. This study will help to further understand miRNAs regulatory mechanism in teleost fish.