An Evolutionarily Conserved Mechanism for MicroRNA-223 Expression Revealed by MicroRNA Gene Profiling

Taro Fukao, Yoko Fukuda, Kotaro Kiga, Jafar Sharif, Kimihiro Hino, Yutaka Enomoto, Aya Kawamura, Kaito Nakamura, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Masanobu Tanabe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

280 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Many microRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved and have intriguing expression patterns. Tissue and/or time-specific expressions of some miRNAs are presumably controlled by unique cis-acting regulatory elements that coevolved with the miRNA sequences. Exploiting bioinformatics, we identified several miRNAs whose primary transcripts could be regulated by conserved genomic elements proximal to their transcription start sites. Such miRNAs include microRNA-223 (miR-223), which is reportedly controlled by a unique regulatory mechanism during granulopoiesis. Here, we define a mechanism distinct from that previously proposed to regulate miR-223 expression. We find that the mir-223 gene resembles a "myeloid gene" and might be driven by the myeloid transcription factors, PU.1 and C/EBPs. This mechanism is specified by the conserved proximal cis-regulatory element and might be common among different species. Hence, it needs to be considered that two distinct mechanisms that would play critical roles in myeloid functions and differentiation are actually concerned with the regulation of miR-223.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)617-631
Number of pages15
JournalCell
Volume129
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 May 4
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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