Endocrine Abstracts

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression and it is estimated that at least 30% of all protein encoding genes are controlled by miRNAs at the post-transcriptional level. While it is clear that miRNAs both inhibit translation and decrease mRNA stability whether these pathways act in parallel or occur in an ordered sequence of events remains unknown. Using well characterised viral IRESs we show that miRNAs require translational repression and in its absence, gene si...

Fetal growth restriction is associated with abnormal placental cell (cytotrophoblast) proliferation. Using an explant model of human first trimester placenta, we have demonstrated that the IGF-I and -II stimulate proliferation in cytotrophoblast and are probably essential for normal placental growth. IGF activates signalling through IGF1R/Akt/ ERK pathways, thus the ability of the placenta to modulate expression of components of these pathways is important for normal pregnancy...

MiR-375 regulates growth and function of the pancreatic beta cell, the source of a multitude of secreted factors into the systemic circulation which facilitate metabolic processes, most notably insulin. Here we provide mass spectrometric analysis addressing the impact of miR-375 on the pancreatic beta cell secretome. Quantitative proteomics detected over 600 proteins released in response to glucose using the murine beta cell line, MIN6. Furthermore, the secretome profiles foll...

MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of numerous cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and hormone secretion etc. Altered expression of microRNAs has been described in several tumours including endocrine neoplasms and microRNAs have been suggested to be involved in tumourigenesis at several levels. MicroRNAs may be classified as tumour suppressors and oncogenes (onco-miR) based on their relative under- or overexpression in tumour tiss...