Glucocorticoids modulate microRNA expression and processing during lymphocyte apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Glucocorticoids modulate immune development and function through the induction of lymphocyte apoptosis via mechanisms requiring alterations in gene expression. Recently, short, noncoding, microRNAs have been identified as key regulators of lymphocyte function; however, it is unknown whether glucocorticoids regulate noncoding microRNAs and whether this regulation contributes to lymphocyte apoptosis. We now show by both microarray and deep sequencing analysis that microRNAs are substantially repressed during glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of primary rat thymocytes. Mechanistic studies revealed that primary microRNA transcripts were not repressed, whereas the expression of the key microRNA processing enzymes: Dicer, Drosha, and DGCR8/Pasha, were significantly reduced at both the mRNA and pr

SUBMITTER: Smith LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2978599 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature