Mitochondria-related miR-151a-5p reduces cellular ATP production by targeting CYTB in asthenozoospermia

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 2:5:17743. doi: 10.1038/srep17743.

Abstract

Mitochondria, acting as the energy metabolism factory, participate in many key biological processes, including the maintenance of sperm viability. Mitochondria-related microRNA (miRNA), encoded by nuclear genome or mitochondrial genome, may play an important regulatory role in the control of mitochondrial function. To investigate the potential role of mitochondria-related miRNAs in asthenozoospermia, we adopted a strategy consisting of initial screening by TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA) and further validation with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Validation of the profiling results was conducted in two independent phases. Eventually, two seminal plasma miRNAs (sp-miRs) (miR-101-3p, let-7b-5p) were found to be significantly decreased, while sp-miR-151a-5p was significantly increased in severe asthenozoospermia cases compared with healthy controls. To further study their potential roles in asthenozoospermia, we then evaluated mitochondrial function of GC-2 cells transfected with these potentially functional miRNAs. Our results demonstrated that transfection with miR-151a-5p mimics decreased the mitochondrial respiratory activity. Besides, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) level was decreased when transfected with miR-151a-5p mimics. In addition, Cytochrome b (Cytb) mRNA and protein levels were also decreased when miR-151a-5p was overexpressed. These results indicate that miR-151a-5p may participate in the regulation of cellular respiration and ATP production through targeting Cytb.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Asthenozoospermia / genetics
  • Asthenozoospermia / metabolism*
  • Asthenozoospermia / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytochromes b / genetics
  • Cytochromes b / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA, Mitochondrial

Substances

  • MIRN151a microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Cytochromes b