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Regulation of pigmentation by micro RNA s: MITF ‐dependent micro RNA ‐211 targets TGF ‐ β receptor 2
Author(s) -
Dai Xiaodan,
Rao Chunbao,
Li Huirong,
Chen Yu,
Fan Lilv,
Geng Huiqin,
Li Shuang,
Qu Jia,
Hou Ling
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12334
Subject(s) - microphthalmia associated transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , rna , downregulation and upregulation , biology , melanocyte , neural crest , transcription factor , gene , cancer research , melanoma , biochemistry , embryo
Summary There is growing evidence that micro RNA s are important regulators of gene expression in a variety of cell types. Using immortalized cell lines and primary neural crest cell explants, we show that micro RNA ‐211, previously implicated in the regulation of melanoma proliferation and invasiveness, promotes pigmentation in melanoblasts and melanocytes. Expression of this micro RNA is regulated by the key melanocyte transcription factor MITF and regulates pigmentation by targeting the TGF ‐ β receptor 2. Transfection with pre‐miR‐211 precursor molecules in melb‐a and melan‐a cells leads to a decrease in the expression of TGF ‐ β receptor 2 and reduces the TGF ‐ β signaling‐mediated downregulation of two melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase and tyrosinase‐related protein 1. Conversely, downregulation of micro RNA ‐211 using specific micro RNA inhibitors has the opposite effects. It appears, therefore, that micro RNA ‐211 serves as a negative regulator of TGF ‐ β signaling which is known to play a important roles in vivo in melanocyte stem cell maintenance and pigmentation.