miR-378b Promotes Differentiation of Keratinocytes through NKX3.1

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136049
• Publication Date: 2015-08-27T17:56:39Z
• Authors: Xi-liang Wang; Tao Zhang; Jing Wang; Dian-bao Zhang; Feng Zhao; Xue-wen Lin; Zhe Wang; Ping Shi; Xi-ning Pang
• Keywords: Homeodomain Proteins; Keratinocytes; 0301 basic medicine; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Science; Q; Blotting, Western; R; Cell Differentiation; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; MicroRNAs; 03 medical and health sciences; Cell Movement; Medicine; Humans; RNA, Messenger; Cells, Cultured; Research Article; Cell Proliferation; Skin; Transcription Factors

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of short non-coding RNA, involved in various cellular processes. During keratinocyte differentiation, miRNAs act as important regulators. In this study, we demonstrated by microarray assay that the expression of miR-378b significantly increased during keratinocytes differentiation. Our findings showed that miR-378b could inhibit proliferation, migration and differentiation in keratinocytes. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-378b directly target NKX3.1. Silencing of NKX3.1 could coincide with the effects of miR-24 overexpression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate miR-378b promote keratinocytes differentiation by targeting NKX3.1. Manipulation of miR-378b may afford a new strategy to clinic treatment of skin injury and repair.