MiR-25 protects cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage by targeting the mitochondrial calcium uniporter

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Mar 10;16(3):5420-33. doi: 10.3390/ijms16035420.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, whose expression levels vary in different cell types and tissues. Emerging evidence indicates that tissue-specific and -enriched miRNAs are closely associated with cellular development and stress responses in their tissues. MiR-25 has been documented to be abundant in cardiomyocytes, but its function in the heart remains unknown. Here, we report that miR-25 can protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage by down-regulating mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). MiR-25 was markedly elevated in response to oxidative stimulation in cardiomyocytes. Further overexpression of miR-25 protected cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage by inactivating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. MCU was identified as a potential target of miR-25 by bioinformatical analysis. MCU mRNA level was reversely correlated with miR-25 under the exposure of H2O2, and MCU protein level was largely decreased by miR-25 overexpression. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-25 bound directly to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MCU mRNA. MiR-25 significantly decreased H2O2-induced elevation of mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, which is likely to be the result of decreased activity of MCU. We conclude that miR-25 targets MCU to protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative damages. This finding provides novel insights into the involvement of miRNAs in oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Calcium Channels
  • MIRN25 microRNA, rat
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • mitochondrial calcium uniporter