Published in:
01-09-2011 | Original Article
Microarray analysis of microRNA expression in skin of Xpc+/− mice and wild-type mice
Published in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Issue 3/2011
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Background and aim
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules of 21–24 nt that regulate the expression of target genes in a post-transcriptional manner. Evidence indicates that miRNAs play essential roles in embryogenesis, cell differentiation, and pathogenesis of human diseases including skin cancer. To investigate possible mechanisms of photocarcinogenesis, we describe a comparison between miRNA expression profile of Xpc heterozygous partially repair-deficient mice and WT repair-proficient mice.
Methods
We analyzed the miRNA expression profiles in 2 pairs of Xpc+/− mice and WT mice, using a mammalian miRNA microarray containing whole mice mature and precursor miRNA sequences. MiRBase and GO analysis were employed for the prediction of miRNA targets.
Results
A total of 20 miRNAs were differentially expressed in which 13 miRNAs down-regulated and 7 miRNAs up-regulated in Xpc heterozygous mice compared with the WT counterpart. Differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted to have some relationships with several signaling pathway in skin cells, of which regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway and transforming growth factor beta receptor signaling pathway should be noted.
Conclusion
The differential miRNA expression identified in this study may be of use in the diagnosis and/or treatment of UV-induced skin cancers.