Abstract
Activation of the unfolded protein response sensor PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (Perk) attenuates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels. Conversantly, if the damage is too severe and ER function cannot be restored, this signaling branch triggers apoptosis. Bcl-2 homology 3-only family member Bim is essential for ER stress-induced apoptosis. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling Bim activation under ER stress conditions are not well understood. Here, we show that downregulation of themiR-106b-25 cluster contributes to ER stress-induced apoptosis and the upregulation of Bim. Hypericin-mediated photo-oxidative ER damage induced Perk-dependent cell death and led to a significant decrease in the levels of miRNAs belonging to miR-106b-25 cluster in wild-type (WT) but not in Perk-/- MEFs. Further, we show that expression of miR-106b-25 and Mcm-7 (host gene of miR-106b-25) is co-regulated through the transcription factors Atf4 (activating transcription factor 4) and Nrf2 (nuclear factorerythroid- 2-related factor 2). ER stress increased the activity of WT Bim 30UTR (untranslated region) construct but not the miR-106b-25 recognition site-mutated Bim 30UTR construct. Overexpression of miR-106b-25 cluster inhibits ER stress-induced cell death in WT but did not confer any further protection in Bim-knockdown cells. Further, we show downregulation in the levels of miR-106b-25 cluster in the symptomatic SOD1G86R transgenic mice. Our results suggest a molecular mechanism whereby repression of miR-106b-25 cluster has an important role in ER stress-mediated increase in Bim and apoptosis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | e333 |
Journal | Cell Death and Disease |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2012 |
Keywords
- ATF4
- Bim
- NRF2
- apoptosis
- miR-106b-25
- unfolded protein response
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research