Abstract
Apoptosis of ovarian granular cells is closely related with weakening fertility of women. Hence, resisting apoptosis of human ovarian granular cells (KGN cells) is of important significance. According to studies, detection of oxidation indicators such as ROS, NO, MDA and SOD, DAPI fluorescence staining experiment, mRNA and Western Blot test of Cleaved-caspase-3, Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 demonstrate that small peptides from Periplaneta americana (SPPA) can improve H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis of KGN cells. While SPPA has been reported to possess antioxidant potential, its specific role and molecular mechanisms within ovarian granulosa cells-particularly regarding its involvement in the miRNA regulatory network have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, high-throughput sequencing of miRNAs was employed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) that are associated with the regulatory mechanisms through which SPPA inhibits H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in KGN cells. Experiments were divided into three groups, namely, the control group, H(2)O(2) group and H(2)O(2) + SPPA group. A total of 75 DEMs were screened by comparing the control group and the H(2)O(2) group, and 30 DEMs were screened by comparing the H(2)O(2) group and H(2)O(2) + SPPA group. It is important to note that 8 overlapping DEMs were identified upregulating in H(2)O(2) exposure, but downregulating in SPPA repair. Another 5 overlapping DEMs were identified downregulating in H(2)O(2) exposure, but upregulating in SPPA repair. 3534 target genes of the aforementioned 13 DEMs have significant enrichment in multiple KEGG pathways. Among them, hsa-miR-103a-3p, NovelmiRNA-214 and NovelmiRNA-383 play significant roles in SPPA resistance process of cell apoptosis. 5 DEMs were selected for florescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) verification and the expression level was consistent with sequencing results. Finally, a control network of SPPA resistance against the H(2)O(2)-induced KGN cell apoptosis was built based on the target genes screened by the miRNA-seq technology. This study provides a direction and some references to screen and suggest miRNAs that may be involved in the anti-apoptotic process of SPPA.