Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the regulation of almost all the biological processes, including melanogenesis. MiR-27a-3p is nearly six times higher in white alpaca skin compared to brown skin, which indicates that miR-27a-3p may be a candidate regulator for melanogenesis. Wnt3a plays an important role in promoting melanoblasts to differentiate into melanocytes and melanogenesis. To confirm the function of miR-27a-3p to melanogenesis in mammals, miR-27a-3p mimic, inhibitor and their negative control were transfected into mouse melanocytes. As a result, miR-27a-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a at post-transcriptional level. A significant decrease in Wnt3a luciferase activity was observed in 293T cells co-transfected with the matched luciferase reporter vector and pre-miR-27a. Furthermore, the presence of exogenous miR-27a-3p significantly decreased Wnt3a protein expression rather than mRNA and reduced β-catenin mRNA levels in melanocytes. The over-expression of miR-27a-3p significantly increased the melanin content of melanocytes. However, miR-27a-3p inhibitor performs an opposite effect on melanogenesis. Wnt3a is one target of miR-27a-3p. MiR-27a-3p could inhibit Wnt3a protein amount by post-transcriptional regulation and melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. Previous studies reported that Wnt3a promoted melanogenensis in mouse melanocytes. Thus, miR-27-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a protein expression.
Highlights
Coat color is determined mainly by the synthesis and distribution of melanin, which is synthesized in melanosomes of melanocytes and transferred to the adjacent keratinocytes, where melanins are accumulated to generate pigmented skin or hairs [1,2,3]
We provided evidence to support a functional role of miR-27a-3p in inhibiting melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes by repressing Wnt3a
Expression of MiR-27a-3p and Wnt3a mRNA in Brown and Gray Mouse Skin
Summary
Coat color is determined mainly by the synthesis and distribution of melanin, which is synthesized in melanosomes of melanocytes and transferred to the adjacent keratinocytes, where melanins are accumulated to generate pigmented skin or hairs [1,2,3]. Mitf expression and promote melanoblasts to differentiate into melanocytes [8]. Studies on the functions of miRNAs in melanogenesis are limited, many miRNAs were shown to play a significant role in melanoma [10,11]. Over-expression of miR-137 in C57 mouse resulted in the production of mice with brown and gray skin colors [12]. We provided evidence to support a functional role of miR-27a-3p in inhibiting melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes by repressing Wnt3a
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