miR-27b overexpression improves mitochondrial function in a Sirt1-dependent manner.

Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function, and recent evidences demonstrate that miRNAs play important roles in certain effects of resveratrol. In the current study, we found that a microRNA, miR-27b, was significantly induced in a dose-dependent way in skeletal muscle and C2C12 myoblast treated with resveratrol. Our results showed that overexpression of miR-27b could mimic the effects of resveratrol on improving mitochondrial function and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. Subsequently, we found that FOXO1 was a potential target of miR-27b, and the effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial function were significantly affected after inhibition of miR-27b. Moreover, the effects of miR-27b on mitochondrial function were lost after inhibition of Sirt1, although miR-27b and FOXO1 expression were not influenced. Taken together, these data suggested that overexpression of miR-27b could benefit mitochondrial function, while the effects of overexpressed miR-27b were Sirt1-dependent.