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Regulation of chondrocytic phenotype by micro RNA 18a: Involvement of Ccn2/Ctgf as a major target gene
Author(s) -
Ohgawara Toshihiro,
Kubota Satoshi,
Kawaki Harumi,
Kondo Seiji,
Eguchi Takanori,
Kurio Naito,
Aoyama Eriko,
Sasaki Akira,
Takigawa Masaharu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.02.025
Subject(s) - ctgf , microbiology and biotechnology , growth factor , phenotype , connective tissue , endochondral ossification , microrna , transfection , biology , gene , messenger rna , chemistry , cartilage , anatomy , genetics , receptor
We searched for miRNAs that were down‐regulated in chondrocytic cells and predicted to target CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) that promotes endochondral ossification. Among them, expression of miR‐18a was most strongly repressed in chondrocytic cells. Reporter gene analysis confirmed the functionality of an miR‐18a target in the 3′‐untranslated region of Ccn2 mRNA, which was predicted in silico. Indeed, introduction of miR‐18a efficiently repressed the CCN2 production from chondrocytic cells. Finally, transfected miR‐18a significantly repressed the mature chondrocytic phenotype. Our present study revealed a regulatory role for miR‐18a in chondrocytic differentiation through CCN2.