Regulation of microRNA-33, SREBP and ABCA1 genes in a mouse model of high cholesterol

• Main Authors: X. Zhang, H. Zhao, Q. Sheng, X. Liu, W. You, H. Lin, G. Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2021-03-01
• Series: Archives Animal Breeding
• Online Access: https://aab.copernicus.org/articles/64/103/2021/aab-64-103-2021.pdf

<p>MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Several microRNAs, useful for coronary artery disease assessment, have previously been identified. MicroRNA-33 is located within SREBP introns and controls cholesterol homeostasis. In order to find the possibility of microRNA-33 as a potential biomarker in high cholesterol disease, we developed a mouse model for coronary heart disease by feeding mice with a high-fat diet. The expression differences of microRNA-33, SREBP and ABCA1 genes in the liver, muscle, and lipid tissues were compared between a high-cholesterol group and control group in mice. The results showed that ABCA1 was up-regulated by high cholesterol conditions in liver, muscle and lipid tissues. SREBP1C was up-regulated by high cholesterol conditions in the liver and lipid tissues and down-regulated by high cholesterol conditions in the muscle tissue. MicroRNA-33 and SREBP2 were down-regulated by high cholesterol conditions in the liver and muscle tissues and up-regulated by high cholesterol conditions in the lipid tissue. Our study suggests that antisense therapeutic targeting of microRNA-33 may be a potential biomarker for cardiovascular disease.</p>