Endocrine Abstracts

Mkrn3, the maternally imprinted gene encoding the makorin RING-finger protein-3, has recently emerged as putative pubertal repressor, as evidenced by central precocity caused by MKRN3 mutations in humans; yet, the molecular underpinnings of this key regulatory action remain largely unexplored. We report herein that the microRNA, miR-30, with three binding sites in a highly conserved region of its 3’-untranslated region (UTR), operates as repressor of Mkrn3 to control pube...

Among its numerous comorbidities, obesity is often linked to central hypogonadism in men, i.e., low circulating levels of gonadotropins and testosterone. While this condition of obesity-induced hypogonadism (OIH) is frequently neglected, it has been suggested to contribute to the metabolic complications of male obesity. However, the mechanisms of OIH, and even its actual role in the metabolic alterations of obesity remain ill defined. Our recent data suggest that OIH is bound ...