Analyzing mRNA expression identifies Smad3 as a microRNA-140 target regulated only at protein level

• DOI: 10.1261/rna.1701210
• Publication Date: 2010-01-14T02:27:29Z
• Authors: Helio Pais; Francisco Esteban...; Surinder M. Soond; Tracey E. Swingler; Ian M. Clark; Andrew Chantry; Vincent Moulton; Tamas Dalmay
• Keywords: Transcription

mRNA profiling is routinely used to identify microRNA targets, however, this high-throughput technology not suitable for identifying targets regulated only at protein level. Here, we have developed and validated a novel methodology based on computational analysis of promoter sequences combined with microarray experiments reveal transcription factors that are direct the Using approach identified Smad3, key factor in TGFβ signaling pathway, as miR-140 target. We showed suppressed pathway through repression Smad3 accumulation forming double negative feedback loop. Our findings establish valid strategy discovery level, propose additional could be by re-analysis existing datasets.