mir-35 is involved in intestine cell G1/S transition and germ cell proliferation in C. elegans

Cell Res. 2011 Nov;21(11):1605-18. doi: 10.1038/cr.2011.102. Epub 2011 Jun 21.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) regulates gene expression in many cellular events, yet functions of only a few miRNAs are known in C. elegans. We analyzed the function of mir-35-41 unique to the worm, and show here that mir-35 regulates the G1/S transition of intestinal cells and germ cell proliferation. Loss of mir-35 leads to a decrease of nuclei numbers in intestine and distal mitotic gonad, while re-introduction of mir-35 rescues the mutant phenotypes. Genetic analysis indicates that mir-35 may act through Rb/E2F and SCF pathways. Further bioinformatic and functional analyses demonstrate that mir-35 targets evolutionally conserved lin-23 and gld-1. Together, our study reveals a novel function of mir-35 family in cell division regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA Replication
  • E2F Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • F-Box Proteins / genetics
  • F-Box Proteins / metabolism
  • G1 Phase
  • Germ Cells / cytology*
  • Intestines / cytology*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • S Phase

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • E2F Transcription Factors
  • F-Box Proteins
  • GLD-1 protein, C elegans
  • MIRN35 microRNA, C elegans
  • MicroRNAs
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • lin-23 protein, C elegans