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
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
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Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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Cell Proliferation
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DNA Replication
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E2F Transcription Factors / metabolism
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F-Box Proteins / genetics
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F-Box Proteins / metabolism
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G1 Phase
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Germ Cells / cytology*
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Intestines / cytology*
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MicroRNAs / genetics
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MicroRNAs / metabolism*
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Phenotype
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Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
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S Phase
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Cell Cycle Proteins
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E2F Transcription Factors
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F-Box Proteins
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GLD-1 protein, C elegans
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MIRN35 microRNA, C elegans
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MicroRNAs
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Retinoblastoma Protein
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lin-23 protein, C elegans