biostudies-literatureUnknown8(2)Fan JBAMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation could protect osteoblasts from dexamethasone (Dex). This study aims to provoke AMPK activation via microRNA downregulation of its negative regulator protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ). Results show that microRNA-25-5p (miR-25-5p) targets PKCζ's 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). Forced-expression of miR-25 downregulated PKCζ and activated AMPK in human osteoblastic cells (OB-6 and hFOB1.19 lines), which thereafter protected cells from Dex. Reversely, expression of antagomiR-25, the miR-25 inhibitor, upregulated PKCζ and inhibited AMPK activation, exacerbating Dex damages. Notably, PKCζ shRNA knockdown similarly activated AMPK and protected osteoblastic cells from Dex. AMPK activation was required for miR-25-induced osteoblastic cell protection. AMPKα shRNOncotarget3226-3236https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5356877biostudies-literaturemicroRNA-25 targets PKCζ and protects osteoblastic cells from dexamethasone via activating AMPK signaling.PMC5356877Yi HFan JBCui ZMZhu XHCui SYZhao JNLiu WfalsemicroRNA-25 targets PKCζ and protects osteoblastic cells from dexamethasone via activating AMPK signaling.AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation could protect osteoblasts from dexamethasone (Dex). This study aims to provoke AMPK activation via microRNA downregulation of its negative regulator protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ). Results show that microRNA-25-5p (miR-25-5p) targets PKCζ's 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). Forced-expression of miR-25 downregulated PKCζ and activated AMPK in human osteoblastic cells (OB-6 and hFOB1.19 lines), which thereafter protected cells from Dex. Reversely, expression of antagomiR-25, the miR-25 inhibitor, upregulated PKCζ and inhibited AMPK activation, exacerbating Dex damages. Notably, PKCζ shRNA knockdown similarly activated AMPK and protected osteoblastic cells from Dex. AMPK activation was required for miR-25-induced osteoblastic cell protection. AMPKα shRN2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Jan2025-04-04T14:33:29.189Z2019-03-26T23:46:30ZS-EPMC53568772791127510.18632/oncotarget.13698