Two microRNAs, miR-330 and miR-125b-5p, mark the juxtaglomerular cell and balance its smooth muscle phenotype.

ABSTRACT: We have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are necessary for renin cell specification and kidney vascular development. Here, we used a screening strategy involving microarray and in silico analyses, along with in situ hybridization and in vitro functional assays to identify miRNAs important for renin cell identity. Microarray studies using vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the renin lineage and kidney cortex under normal conditions and after reacquisition of the renin phenotype revealed that of 599 miRNAs, 192 were expressed in SMCs and 234 in kidney cortex. In silico analysis showed that the highly conserved miR-330 and miR-125b-5p have potential binding sites in smoothelin (Smtn), calbindin 1, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, α-smooth muscle actin, and renin genes important for the myoe

SUBMITTER: Medrano S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3251334 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature