Conclusion
In the present study, we found that miR34/ATG4B signaling axis involves in rapamycin-triggered autophagy. This study may provide a new insight for understanding the mechanisms of ATG4B regulation and autophagy induction.
Methods
Human ATG4B 3'-UTR region (1377 nt) containing miR-34a/miR-34c-5p binding site was amplified by PCR. Luciferase assay was used to assess the activity of reporter genes. Real-time PCR was used to detect the levels of miR-34a and miR-34c-5p. Western blot was used toanalyze the protein levels of ATG4B, LC3 and p62.
Results
Both miR-34a and miR-34c-5p could directly target the 3'-UTR of ATG4B mRNA at same site. Overexpression of either miR-34a or miR-34c-5p significantly down-regulated ATG4B at both mRNA and protein levels and this effect can be reversed by ATG4B overexpression. Moreover, Rapamycin-induced autophagy is accompanied with the upregulation of ATG4B and the downregulation of miR-34a/miR-34c-5p. Ectopic expression of either miR-34a or miR-34c-5p markedly suppressed rapamycin-triggered autophagy.