Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in many biological processes such as regulating skeletal muscle development where alterations in miRNA expression are reported during myogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of predicted miRNAs and their target genes on the myoblast to myocyte differentiation process.
Materials and methods: This experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using a bioinformatics approach, miR-214 and miR-135 were selected according to their targets as potential factors in myoblast to myocyte differentiation induced by 3% horse serum. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was undertaken to confirm the differentiation process and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the expression level of miRNAs and their targets.
Results: During myoblast to myocyte differentiation, miR-214 was significantly down- regulated while miRNA-135, Irs2, Akt2 and Insr were overexpressed during the process.
Conclusion: miR-214 and miR-135 are potential regulators of myogenesis and are involved in skeletal muscle development through regulating the IRS/PI3K pathway.
Keywords: Differentiation; Myoblast; miR-135; miR-214.