Abstract
BackgroundMelanocytes are derived from neural crest stem cells in the embryonic stage. In mature melanocytes, a series of complex enzyme-catalyzed reactions leads to the production of melanins, which determine the hair and skin colors of animals. The process of melanogenesis is complex and can be regulated by mRNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) genes. MiRNAs are a type of endogenous noncoding RNA approximately 22 nt in size that predominantly regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation. miR-380-3p is a candidate miRNA potentially related to melanogenesis. To better understand the mechanism of miR-380-3p melanogenesis regulation, plasmids to overexpress or knockdown miR-380-3p were transfected into alpaca melanocytes, and their effects on melanogenesis were evaluated.ResultsIn situ hybridization identified a positive miR-380-3p signal in alpaca melanocyte cytoplasm. Luciferase activity assays confirmed that SOX6 is targeted by miR-380-3p. miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown in alpaca melanocytes respectively downregulated and upregulated SOX6 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown, respectively, in alpaca melanocytes decreased and increased the mRNA levels of melanin transfer-related genes, including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosine-related protein-1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). In contrast, miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown respectively increased and decreased the mRNA levels of β-catenin. Additionally, the effect of miR-380-3p on melanogenesis was assessed by Masson-Fontana melanin staining.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that miR-380-3p targeted SOX6 to regulate melanogenesis by influencing β-catenin and MITF transcription and translation, which reduced the expression of downstream genes, including TYR, TYRP1, and DCT. These results provide insights into the mechanisms through which miR-380-3p controls melanogenesis.
Highlights
Melanocytes are derived from neural crest stem cells in the embryonic stage
We have demonstrated that miR-508-3p [13] and miR-25 [14] regulate melanogenesis by targeting Microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF) in alpaca melanocytes. miR-143-5p regulates alpaca melanocyte migration, proliferation, and melanogenesis [15]; miR-5110 regulates eumelanin production and transfer in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) melanocytes by cotargeting melanophilin (MLPH) and Wnt family member 1 (Wnt1) [16]; and lpamiR-nov-66 targeting of soluble guanylate cyclase regulates melanogenesis via the cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway [17]
Results miR-380-3p and sex-determining region Y-box 6 (SOX6) expression in alpaca skin and melanocytes To confirm the relationship between miR-380-3p and hair color, the expression of miR-380-3p was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in alpaca skin samples with white, brown and black hair
Summary
Melanocytes are derived from neural crest stem cells in the embryonic stage. In mature melanocytes, a series of complex enzyme-catalyzed reactions leads to the production of melanins, which determine the hair and skin colors of animals. We have demonstrated that miR-508-3p [13] and miR-25 [14] regulate melanogenesis by targeting MITF in alpaca melanocytes. MiR-380-3p, known as miR-380 [18], has been found to be expressed in the brain of mice [19] and is differentially expressed in the medial nasal processes in the fetal tissue between gestational days 10 and 11.5 [20] This miRNA is not affected by Dicer ablation in Sertoli cells [21], suggesting that it is generated by Dicer-independent miRNA biogenesis pathways, such as the Ago pathway [22]. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that miR-380p might play a role in melanogenesis by targeting SOX6 in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) melanocytes
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