MicroRNA-126 participates in lipid metabolism in mammary epithelial cells

Publication date: Available online 6 June 2017
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Meiqiang Chu, Yong Zhao, Yanni Feng, Hongfu Zhang, Jing Liu, Ming Cheng, Lan Li, Wei Shen, Hongfang Cao, Qiang Li, Lingjiang Min
Lipids are a major component of milk and are important for infant growth and development. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) has previously been observed in mammary glands and adipocytes and is known to be involved in lipid metabolism during the process of atherosclerosis. However, it remains unknown whether miR-126 also participates in lipid metabolism in mammary luminal epithelial cells (MECs). In the current investigation, miR-126-3p inhibition stimulated lipid synthesis in MECs in part through increasing levels of the lipid synthesis enzymes FASN, ACSL1, and Insig1. Overexpression of miR-126-3p decreased lipid content in MECs with a reduction in FASN and Insig1. Furthermore, the expression of miR-126-3p was diminished by the steroid hormones estradiol and progesterone with a subsequent elevation of lipid formation in MECs. We also noted that miR-126-3p was expressed differentially at various stages of murine mammary gland development, exhibiting a negative correlation with FASN. Together these findings suggest that miR-126-3 might be involved in lipid metabolism in mammary gland.

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