MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in a plethora of important biological processes, from embryonic development to homeostasis in adult tissues. Recently, miRNAs have emerged as a class of epigenetic regulators of metabolism and energy homeostasis. Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine have investigated the role of miRNAs in the regulation of adipogenic differentiation. Through LC Sciences’ miRNA microarray, they demonstrate that the miR-27 gene family is downregulated during adipogenic differentiation. Overexpression of miR-27 specifically inhibited adipocyte formation, without affecting myogenic differentiation. We also found that expression of miR-27 resulted in blockade of expression of PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha, the two master regulators of adipogenesis. Importantly, expression of miR-27 was increased in fat tissue of obese mice and was regulated by hypoxia, an important extracellular stress associated with obesity. Our data strongly suggest that miR-27 represents a new class of adipogenic inhibitors and may play a role in the pathological development of obesity.

Decreased expression of miR-27 during adipogenic differentiation.

3T3-L1 preadipocytes were grown to confluence. Adipogenic differentiation was initiated by treatment with the differentiation cocktail containing insulin, dexamethasone, and IDM, as described in Experimental procedures. Total cellular RNA was prepared at the indicated time points. (A) MicroRNA profile analysis was performed by LC Sciences, Houston, TX, USA. Ratios were calculated as mean value ± SD from sextuplicate sampling. (B, C). Expression of miR-27a and miR-27b was quantitatively assessed by SYBR Green-based quantitative real-time PCR. The data shown are averages of four independent experiments (mean value ± SD) and were analyzed using Student’s t-test (paired, two-tailed). *P < 0.01, **P < 0.01, as compared with time = 0.

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miRNA Microarray Service – LC Sciences provides a microRNA (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

Gao Z, Ye J, Yun Z, Lin Q. (2009) A role of miR-27 in the regulation of adipogenesis. FEBS J 276(8), 2348-58. [article]