miR-191-5p Is Involved in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Targeting SOX4.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder with unclear molecular mechanisms.
• Identifying reliable biomarkers for PCOS is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
• Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is implicated in various diseases, including PCOS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression and diagnostic value of miR-191-5p in PCOS.
• To explore the role of miR-191-5p in PCOS pathogenesis by examining its effects on cell proliferation and ferroptosis.
• To identify the downstream target of miR-191-5p in PCOS.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) to measure miR-191-5p expression.
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate diagnostic efficiency.
• Cell culture experiments (KGN cells) with miRNA and gene overexpression/inhibition.
• Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, ferroptosis assay kits, and RT-qPCR to assess cellular functions.

Main Results:

• miR-191-5p was significantly downregulated in PCOS patients compared to healthy controls.
• Lower miR-191-5p levels were associated with specific baseline characteristics in PCOS patients, suggesting its role as a risk factor.
• Overexpression of miR-191-5p promoted cell proliferation and inhibited ferroptosis in KGN cells.
• SOX4 was identified as a direct downstream target of miR-191-5p, negatively regulated by it.
• Overexpression of SOX4 reduced cell proliferation and increased ferroptosis in KGN cells.

Conclusions:

• miR-191-5p is aberrantly expressed in PCOS and demonstrates potential as a diagnostic biomarker.
• miR-191-5p plays a role in PCOS progression by negatively regulating SOX4, thereby modulating cell proliferation and ferroptosis.