Researchers at the University of Houston utilized LC Sciences’ miRNA microarray service and discovered that prostacyclin (PGI₂), a key vascular protector, is involved in regulating cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression through its receptors in a mouse adipose tissue-derived primary culture cell line expressing a novel hybrid enzyme gene.

Their array data suggest that PGI₂ regulates miRNA expression that inhibits insulin-mediated lipid deposition in cells. This is relevant because peripheral lipid deposition (obesity) and uncontrolled subendothelial lipid deposition in smooth muscle cells (atherosclerosis) could be directly related to impaired PGI₂ production.

This indicates that PGI₂-miRNA regulation could exist in broad pathophysiological processes involving PGI₂ (i.e., apoptosis, vascular inflammation, cancer, embryo implantation, and obesity).

(a) MiRNA microarray profiles showing PSFC miRNA expression (panel i) and PGI₂-PSFC miRNA expression (panel ii). Ovals denote the expression profiles of the upregulated miRNA 711, and rectangles denote the expression profiles of the downregulated miRNA 466f-3p. (b) Increases and decreases in the top five miRNAs in PGI₂-PSFCs when compared to PSFCs.

Related Service

miRNA Microarray Service – LC Sciences provides a miRNA expression profiling service using microarrays based on our in-house developed µParaflo® technology platform. We have standard arrays for all mature miRNAs of all species available in the latest version of the miRBase database (Release 21, July 2014). Our service is comprehensive and includes sample labeling, array hybridization, image data processing and in-depth data analysis. Two-three weeks after receiving your total RNA samples, we’ll send you both the raw and fully analyzed data. [Learn more…]

Reference

Mohite A, Chillar A, So SP, Cervantes V, Ruan KH. (2011) Novel mechanism of the vascular protector prostacyclin: regulating microRNA expression. Biochemistry 50(10), 1691-99. [abstract]