Regulation of Human PAX6 Expression by miR-7. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Needhamsen, Maria; White, Robert B.; Giles, Keith M.; Dunlop, Sarah A.; Thomas, Meghan G.
• Is Part Of: Evolutionary bioinformatics online. Volume 10(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: miR-7 -- PAX6 -- miRNA -- 3′-UTR; Bioinformatics -- Periodicals; Evolutionary computation -- Periodicals; Genetic programming (Computer science) -- Periodicals; Computational Biology; Evolution, Molecular; Bioinformatics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.4137/EBO.S13739
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1176-9343

Abstract

The paired box gene 6 ( PAX6 ) is a powerful mediator of eye and brain organogenesis whose spatiotemporal expression is exquisitely controlled by multiple mechanisms, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). In the present study, we use bioinformatic predictions to identify three candidate microRNA-7 (miR-7) target sites in the human PAX6 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) and demonstrate that two of them are functionally active in a human cell line. Furthermore, transient transfection of cells with synthetic miR-7 inhibits PAX6 protein expression but does not alter levels of PAX6 mRNA, suggesting that miR-7 induces translational repression of PAX6. Finally, a comparison of PAX6 3′-UTRs across species reveals that one of the functional miR-7 target sites is conserved, whereas the second functional target site is found only in primates. Thus, the interaction between PAX6 and miR-7 appears to be highly conserved; however, the precise number of sites through which this interaction occurs may have expanded throughout evolution.