biostudies-literatureGuo TChina Scholarship CouncilNational Natural Science Foundation of China16933https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7547681biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)The increased application of graphene oxide (GO), a new carbon-based engineered nanomaterial, has generated a potential toxicity in humans and the environment. Previous studies have identified some dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), such as up-regulated mir-235, in organisms exposed to GO. However, the detailed mechanisms of the dysregulation of miRNA underlying GO toxicity are still largely elusive. In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model to investigate the biological function and molecular basis of mir-235 in the regulation of GO toxicity. After low concentration GO exposure, mir-235 (n4504) mutant nematodes were sensitive to GO toxicity, implying that mir-235 mediates a protection mechanism against GO toxicity. Tissue-specific assays suggested that mir-235 exScientific reportsThe C. elegans miR-235 regulates the toxicity of graphene oxide via targeting the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12 in the intestine.PMC754768121577016201806095001Liu YLiu JYang YWu QCheng LGuo TZhao HfalseThe C. elegans miR-235 regulates the toxicity of graphene oxide via targeting the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12 in the intestine.The increased application of graphene oxide (GO), a new carbon-based engineered nanomaterial, has generated a potential toxicity in humans and the environment. Previous studies have identified some dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), such as up-regulated mir-235, in organisms exposed to GO. However, the detailed mechanisms of the dysregulation of miRNA underlying GO toxicity are still largely elusive. In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model to investigate the biological function and molecular basis of mir-235 in the regulation of GO toxicity. After low concentration GO exposure, mir-235 (n4504) mutant nematodes were sensitive to GO toxicity, implying that mir-235 mediates a protection mechanism against GO toxicity. Tissue-specific assays suggested that mir-235 ex2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Oct2025-04-05T12:56:10.181Z2020-10-29T10:29:46ZS-EPMC75476813303725710.1038/s41598-020-73712-x