miR-200c regulates FGFR-dependent epithelial proliferation via Vldlr during submandibular gland branching morphogenesis

Development. 2012 Jan;139(1):191-202. doi: 10.1242/dev.070151. Epub 2011 Nov 24.

Abstract

The regulation of epithelial proliferation during organ morphogenesis is crucial for normal development, as dysregulation is associated with tumor formation. Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-200c, are post-transcriptional regulators of genes involved in cancer. However, the role of miR-200c during normal development is unknown. We screened miRNAs expressed in the mouse developing submandibular gland (SMG) and found that miR-200c accumulates in the epithelial end buds. Using both loss- and gain-of-function, we demonstrated that miR-200c reduces epithelial proliferation during SMG morphogenesis. To identify the mechanism, we predicted miR-200c target genes and confirmed their expression during SMG development. We discovered that miR-200c targets the very low density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr) and its ligand reelin, which unexpectedly regulate FGFR-dependent epithelial proliferation. Thus, we demonstrate that miR-200c influences FGFR-mediated epithelial proliferation during branching morphogenesis via a Vldlr-dependent mechanism. miR-200c and Vldlr may be novel targets for controlling epithelial morphogenesis during glandular repair or regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Computational Biology
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Morphogenesis / physiology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism*
  • Reelin Protein
  • Submandibular Gland / embryology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn200 microRNA, mouse
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Reelin Protein
  • VLDL receptor
  • Fgfr1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Reln protein, mouse