Halimeh Rezaei1, Majid Motovali-Bashi2, Seyed Javad Mowla3. 1. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. 2. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. E.mail: mbashi@sci.ui.ac.ir. 3. Molecular Genetics Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Hemophilia-A is a heterogeneous deficiency in blood
coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), which causes increased
bleeding and this occurs approximately 1 in almost 5000-
10000 male births. This involves problems originated
from easy bruising as well as muscle and joint bleeds.Almost, it is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait and
classified into mild (>5% of normal level), moderate (1-
5% of normal level) or severe (<1% of normal level) on
the basis of circulating levels of clotting FVIII. Plasma
concentration of factor VIII is approximately 200 ng/ml
and its biological half-life is nearly 12 hours (1).FVIII is an essential plasma protein for blood coagulation that is bound to a von
willebrand factor and circulates in the blood stream in an inactive form. FVIII is activated
(FVIIIa) in response to injury and separates from von willebrand factor. Subsequently,
activated FVIIIa interacts with FIX which is another coagulation factor. This interaction
forms a blood clot with setting off a chain of additional chemical reactions. FVIII is
encoded by the F8 gene with 186 kb length located on Xq28 chromosome. It
contains 26 exons and has two variant transcripts called "isoform a" and "isoform b". Many
mutations are reported all over the F8 gene. Inversions especially in the introns 1 and 22
are involved in 50% of total mutations and 1-4% of severe hemophilia-A patients,
respectively. In addition, severe hemophilia-A have been reported from more than 120 large
deletions (>50 bp) (1, 2). Other mutations in the F8 gene include nonsense and missense
mutations (point mutations), as well as small deletions and insertions that are diffused in
all 26 exonic regions.Up to now, about 1000 specific mutations with various
types of origin have been collected from the global
hemophilia database (HAMSTeRs) (3). In the past
decade, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were one of the
most available biological findings.microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous single-stranded ncRNAs with 18-25 nucleotides-long that
mediate transcriptional and post-transcriptional control
of the target gene expressions, as a part of complex gene
regulatory networks and they are able to regulate some
biological pathways (4).miRNAs can be found in various genomic regions
including, introns of coding genes and 3ˊ un-translated
region (3ˊ UTR) of coding genes (5), in addition to introns
and exons of non-coding genes (6).In most mammalian, RNA polymerase II transcribes
miRNA genes (pri-miRNA), and their characteristics are
the same as protein coding transcripts: a poly (A) tail, exons and a 5ˊ cap (7). The pri-miRNA, is rapidly trimmed into
pre-miRNA precursor with about 70 nucleotides-long (8).
The pre-miRNA is afterward transferred to the cytoplasm
and was further accomplished to its mature shape, placed
either at 5ˊ or 3ˊ side of the stem loop (9, 10).In mammalian cells, mature miRNA mostly act via
completing binding to 3ˊ-UTR of its target genes with
its seed sequence. This leads to mRNA degradation or
protein translation inhibition (11). To date, in miRBase
database (http://www.mirbase.org/), more than 2000
human miRNAs have been published (12). In the human
genome, approximately 55000 miRNA genes are expected
to be present (13). Identification of novel miRNAs by
numerous bioinformatics tools have been developed to be
fast, effective and cheap (14, 15).A prosperous way to recognize miRNA genes in different
plants and animals like human, mouse, Drosophila, C.
elegans and others is using the bioinformatics approaches
(16). The software is designed based on phylogenetic
diversity and conservation, secondary structure information,
thermodynamic parameters, stability of hairpin, sequence
conservation in various species, sequence special parameters,
similarity to the famous miRNAs and genomic position of the
candidate sequences associated to the famous miRNAs (17-
19). Since hemophilia-A is a single-gene hereditary disorder,
we decided to select F8 gene for our genomic analysis.Here, in order to look for hairpin structures within the
human F8 gene, bioinformatics tools were utilized.The whole suitable bioinformatics characteristics for producing a real miRNA exist in two
of the predicted stem loops. These conserved stem loops were experimentally investigated. In
the present study, bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation for miRNAs
detection in the F8 gene was analyzed.
Materials and Methods
Bioinformatics tools for prediction of miRNAs
RNA fold algorithm (http://rna.tbi.univie.ac.at/cgi-bin/ RNAfold.cgi), miREval
(http://mimirna.centenary.org.au/ mireval/.) and SSC profiler programs
(http://mirna.imbb. forth.gr/SSCprofiler.html) were employed to seek the probable hairpin
structures in the area of interest. Target secondary structures dependent function of
Drosha and Dicer enzymes, which have crucial roles in miRNAs biogenesis, inclined us to
use the miR-FIND (http://140.120.14.132:8080/ MicroRNAProject-Web/).
Conservation of the predicted miRNAs was examined using UCSC database (http://genome.
ucsc.edu/), along with blat search for many organisms such as human genome.
Furthermore, mature miRNAs in the candidate sequences were predicted by SSCprofiler. Using
miRBase, similarity of our sequences was searched between 24,521 miRNAs loci from 206
species. This study approved by Research Assistant, University of Isfahan.
DNA preparation
Hemophilia-A is a monogenic disorder and a defect in the F8 gene resulting in this disease manifestation. On
the other hand, most miRNAs directly affect and target
their productive genes. Therefore, in order to predict
the miRNAs involved in the control and regulation of
hemophilia-A, F8 gene was examined and analyzed only
in healthy subjects.Genomic DNA template was extracted from the person
whole blood referring to Isfahan University Health Center
(by receiving consent) according to Miller protocol (20).
Based on bioinformatics studies, two candidate regions
in F8 gene were identified (we briefly refer them to can-miR-1 and can-miR-2, in this article).These regions have ability to express the hairpin structure
sequences belonging to possible miRNA precursors.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with
primers designed by Oligo v.7 and PerlPrimer(can-miR-1-R: 5´-TTGTGGAGATTGAGTTCTGACC-3´F: 5´-TAGAGACTCCCTTACGTGACTG-3´,can-miR-2-R: 5´-AGCCTCCAAGGTGCTGTATAT-3´F: 5´-CCTGCACTGAGCACTCATGAA-3´).We used NCBI/Primer-BLAST to ensure that the primer sequences are unique. The
thermocycler program for can-miR-1 consisted of one cycle for 5 minutes at 94˚C, 35 cycles
for 30 seconds at 94˚C, 58˚C for 30 seconds and 72˚C for 30 seconds, followed by one cycle
for 10 minutes at 72˚C, and for can-miR-2 it was designed by one cycle for 5 minutes at
94˚C, 35 cycles for 30 seconds at 94˚C, 62˚C for 30 seconds and 72˚C for 30 seconds,
followed by one cycle for 10 minutes at 72˚C. Electrophoresis was performed in 1% agarose
gel and the PCR products were analyzed in order to TA cloning (for double strand DNA);
DNAs were purified and extracted using a GeNetBio Gel Extraction Kit (GeNetBio, Korea)
(21). Segments into the TA vector pTZ57R/T (Thermo scientific, USA) were cloned into
Escherichia coli strain TOP10 based on standard
protocol transformed (22). The transformed cells were then plated on LB agar improved with
x-Gal (20 mg/ ml) and ampicillin (75 mg/ml). Colonies were accidentally chosen and DNA was
utilized in colony PCR as templates. Positive colonies (transformed Escherichia
colis trains) were verified in terms of the existence of inserts direction.
Plasmid isolation was carried out using GeNetBio Plasmid Extraction Kit (GeNetBio, Korea)
(21).Recombinant TA vectors were digested by KpnI and SacI (at 37˚C for 10 minutes)
restriction enzymes and they inserted into pEGFP-C1 expression vectors (cutting with the
same restriction enzymes) that are downstream of the GFP gene and carrying CMV promoter
and KpnI/ SacI restriction sites. Competent cells of Escherichia coli
DH5-α were transformed by pEGFP-C1 contain DNA carrying pre-miRNAs and finally
colony PCR was performed for transformation validation and inserts direction.
Additionally, the hairpin structure sequence, as scrambled control (23), was cloned into
the pEGFP-C1 vectors. As another negative control, the C1-mock (empty vector) was also
utilized. For the reliability of correct inserts, all vectors were sequenced (Genfanavaran
Co., Iran).
Cell lines
HEK293 was cultured in DMEM-HG including 100
U/ml penicillin, 100 µg/ml streptomycin and 10% fetal
bovine serum (FBS) (all from Gibco, USA). After
24 hours culture in separate flasks, transfection was
performed according to the calcium-phosphate protocol
(24). In the first flasks, HEK293 was transfected with
the main samples, which were recombinant expression
vectors with insert fragments containing predicted
can-miR-1 and can-miR-2 precursors. In the second
flasks, HEK293 was transfected with pEGFP-C1-
Scramble, which were recombinant expression vectors
containing insert fragments (it should be noted that
length of the insert fragments are approximately equal
to the insert fragments in main vectors) and in the
third flasks, HEK293 was transfected with pEGFP-C1
empty vectors (C1-Mock) to control potential effect
of transfection reagent on the cell. In the last flasks,
HEK293 was performed without transfection steps,
as a control, using a florescence microscope. Finally,
fluorescence microscopy was used to confirm the cells
transfection and GFP expression.
RNA extraction and preparation
Total RNA was extracted from HEK293 cell lines using
Trizol reagent based on the manufacturer’s protocol
(Sigma, Germany) (25) and treated with RNAase-free
DNaseI (Takara, Japan) for 30 minutes at 37ºC followed
by heat inactivation for 10 minutes at 65ºC by adding
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).Purity and quality of RNAs were estimated by
NanoDropND-1000 (NanoDropTech; Thermo scientific,
USA). In order to confirm the integrity of RNAs, 2%
agarose gel electrophoresis were performed.
Synthesis of cDNA
Universal cDNA Synthesis Kit II (Exiqon, USA)
(26) was utilized for cDNA synthesis using OligodT primers and Reverse Transcriptase which have
a universal tag sequence at the the 5′ end. Besides,
polyadenylation of the mature miRNAs were applied
for their reverse transcription. To confirm the
expression of mature miRNAs, each cDNA sample
was amplified using PCR.Thermocycler program included one cycle for 5 minutes
at 94˚C, 38 cycles at 94˚C for 30 seconds, 60˚C for 30
seconds and 72˚C for 30 seconds, followed by one cycle
for 10 minutes at 72˚C. In addition, 13 and 14 primer
sets for mature miRNAs of can-miR-1 and can-miR-2
were respectively designed according to bioinformatics analysis. They were used as forward primer and the
primer in the buffer of cDNA Synthesis Kit was used as
reverse primer. Then, to check PCR products, the samples
were run on 12% polyacrylamide gel.
Results
Bioinformatics prediction of miRNAs
F8 gene involves in hemophilia-A and it was observed
by reliable bioinformatics databases due to elicit candidate
stem-loops that express miRNAs. For this purpose,
comprehensive studies were carried out on the related data
servers. Regarding the achieved results from data servers,
two stem-loop structures servers, two stem-loop structures
can-miR-1 with sequence: (5´-CTCACCCTGACTTATC
TGTTTCACAGAGTCCACATCTGGCCAATGGGAA
ACACACCTTTTGCTCAGAAAGACCCTGGGAATG
TAGGTCAATCATAATGCAGTAG-3´) andcan-miR-2 with sequence: (5´-CCTCACCCTCTTGCT
GCTCAGCTCCAGGTCGTCGTGGGTTCAGGGCTC
AGCTGCACGCTCCTGCCCGCGCCCTGGGCGTGA
TGGCACCCCCAGCCCCTGCCATT-3´)were eventually qualified and recommended for further
experimental confirmations.
Sequence, structure and conservation profiler web
service
This web service identifies stem-loop structures and
it assigns a hidden Markov model (HMM) score apiece
determined by applying conservation along with structure
features (Fig.1A).
Fig.1
Prediction of pre-can-miR-1 and pre-can-miR-2 in the 1st and 18th introns
of human F8 gene, respectively. A-1, A-2. Results of SSC
profiler for can-miR-1and can-miR-2. Hairpin structures containing a probable sequence
of mature miR (Red) are shown, and HMM score related to the sestructures are shown in
the tables. Furthermore, maximum expression (max-expression) according to a full
genome tiling array in Hela cell line are presented for these sequences. B-1,
B-2. Secondary structure results of can-miR-1 and can-miR-2 in RNA fold web
server are depicted. C-1, C-2. About1000 bp are displayed around our
inquiry sequences, as a circle graph by miREval. D-1, D-2. Conservation
levels are shown with blue columns in UCSC genome browser.
RNA fold web server
The sequence of hairpin structures obtained from SSC
profiler were imported to RNA fold web server for more
detailed researches on their secondary structures and
stabilities (Fig.1B). Calculated minimum free energies
(MFE) for these structures are -26.80 Kcal/mol and -33.30
Kcal/mol, respectively.
miREval
These sequences were also analyzed in miREval and the
corresponding results are shown in Figure 1C.
miR-FIND
Processing sites for Drosha and Dicer ribonuclease
enzymes, mature miRNA sequences and the seed regions
were determined for our mentioned sequences in this
miRNA predictor service (Table 1).
Table 1
Analyzed information in miR-Find
Sequence
can-miR-1
can-miR-2
Mature-miRNA Drosha/ Dicer processing site
23/46
76/56
15/45
83/62
Mature-miRNA sequence
5´-ACAGAGUCCAC AUCCGGCCAAUGG-3´
5´-CUUUUGCUCAG AAAGACCCUG-3´
5´-UGCUCAGCUCCAGGU CGUCGUGGGUUCAGGG-3´
5´-UGCCCGCGCCCU GGGCGUGAUG-3´
Predict seed site
5´-CAGAGUC-3´
5´-UUUUGCU-3´
5´-GCUCAGC-3´
5´-GCCCGCG-3´
Data corresponding to mature miRNA-5p and-3p are presented.
UCSC genome browser
Evolutionary conservation for the candidate sequences
within 100 species, such as rhesus, mouse, dog, elephant
and other vertebrates, were measured in the UCSC
genome browser data server (Fig.1D).Analyzed information in miR-FindData corresponding to mature miRNA-5p and-3p are presented.Prediction of pre-can-miR-1 and pre-can-miR-2 in the 1st and 18th introns
of human F8 gene, respectively. A-1, A-2. Results of SSC
profiler for can-miR-1and can-miR-2. Hairpin structures containing a probable sequence
of mature miR (Red) are shown, and HMM score related to the sestructures are shown in
the tables. Furthermore, maximum expression (max-expression) according to a full
genome tiling array in Hela cell line are presented for these sequences. B-1,
B-2. Secondary structure results of can-miR-1 and can-miR-2 in RNA fold web
server are depicted. C-1, C-2. About1000 bp are displayed around our
inquiry sequences, as a circle graph by miREval. D-1, D-2. Conservation
levels are shown with blue columns in UCSC genome browser.
MiRBase website
Ensuring non-registration within the previously identified
miRNAs using miRBase was done for these sequences.After genomic DNA extraction from whole blood, the
concentrations and purity of isolated DNA samples were
determined by NanoDrop and the samples were loaded on
1% agarose gel.The genomic regions containing a sequence of 104
nucleotides putative miRNA precursors were amplified
by specific primers and PCR. In addition, by using100 bp
DNA ladder, the bands were determined in the expected
locations (370 bp and 679 bp, respectively).The fragments containing predicted miRNA precursors were cloned into the TA vector. The
transformation was carried out in the TOP10 strains and then cultured in
LB agar amended with ampicillin. Additionally, TA vector was cultured on another plate
under the same conditions as a negative control sample.In order to screen the positive colonies, they were
randomly selected and colony PCR was performed using
primers related to miRNA precursors and vector primers.In spite of the existence of false bands, the presence
of expected bands with ladder pattern confirmed the
accuracy of direction of insertions.In order to clone the fragments containing miRNA
precursors in the expressed vector, isolated recombinant
TA vectors were double digested by KpnI and SacI .The
pEGFP-C1 expression vector by KpnI and SacI was
double digested and then the products of this digestion
were extracted from the gel.The fragments containing miRNA precursor sequences
were obtained by recombinant TA vector double digestion
and inserted into the double digested pEGFP-C1
expression vector.Then the insertion products transformed into Escherichia coli
(DH5-α strains) and the strains plated on LB agar amended with
kanamycin. Colony PCR was performed to select recombinant expression vector colonies
containing insertion fragments in accuracy direction and gel electrophoresis confirmed
this purpose. Then, plasmid isolation was performed. To verify isolation accuracy, the
products were electrophoresed on the agarose gel.Sequencing was carried out to approve sequence
accuracy of the inserts inexpression vectors. Sequencing
indicated 100% homology between the inserted sequence
and the predicted miRNA precursor sequence (Fig.2).
Fig.2
Sequencing results. A-1, A-2. When can-miR-1 and can-miR-2 sequences are cloned into
the expression vectors must be in direction read the vectors sequence to be properly
expressed, also no nucleotide changes were caused by the mutations in these sequences
which do not produce defective RNAs. Outputs are confirmed accuracy of work.
Transfection efficiency was evaluated by observing the
cells during 36 hours after transfection, using florescence
microscopy (Fig.3) for confirmation of recombinant
plasmids expression in HEK293 cells.
Fig.3
Observing GFP protein expression using florescence microscopy. GFP expression indicates
transfection accuracy in A-1, A-2. Pre-miRNA, B-1, B-2.
Scramble, C-1, C-2. Mock and D-1, D-2. Untransfected
HEK 293 cell lines.
Sequencing results. A-1, A-2. When can-miR-1 and can-miR-2 sequences are cloned into
the expression vectors must be in direction read the vectors sequence to be properly
expressed, also no nucleotide changes were caused by the mutations in these sequences
which do not produce defective RNAs. Outputs are confirmed accuracy of work.About 48 hours after transfection, total RNA was
extracted using Trizol. RNA concentration was determined
using NanoDrop and RNA quality was assessed by loading
samples on 2% agarose gel for confirmation of total RNA
isolation accuracy.
cDNA synthesis and examination of mature miRNAs
expression
After cDNA synthesis, using PCR, whereby forward
primers attached to the mature miRNAs and reverse
primers attached to OligodT, the presence of mature
miRNAs were studied. Due to insufficient information on
the precise condition and sequences of candidate miRNAs,
several forward primers were designed for the candidate
miRNAs. These primers were designed according to the
sequence recommended by the mentioned bioinformatics
servers, for the mature miRNAs in the candidate precursor
regions. After PCR, due to the small size of fragments and
in order to better identification, PCR products were loaded
on polyacrylamide gel. In addition, U6RNA was used
as a reference gene. Due to the miRNAs length (about
22 nucleotides) and position of the universal primer on
OligodT, 80-100bp fragments were expected.For can-miR-1, the expected band was not found in
any of the designed primers (Fig.4.A-1). Two bands with
80-100 bp were observed for can-miR-2 (primers 2 and
12) in Figure 4A-2. Bands were prepared for sequencing
after gel extraction. The sequencing results analysis
confirmed existence of two predicted mature miRNAs,
but there was not any additional nucleotide between the
predicted can-miR-2 sequences and poly-A sequences. To
approve the accuracy of mature can-miR-2 in comparison
with the probability of error in replication by anchored
oligodT, once again two forward primers for the observed
sequences were designed by Oligo v.7 software and
PerlPrimer (new sequence of primers 2 and 12 with
sequences of 5´-GCTGCTCAGCTCCAGGTCG-3´ and
5´-TCAGCTGCACGCTCCTGC-3´, respectively) and
PCR was performed. The samples were loaded on 12%
polyacrylamide gel and no band was observed (Fig.4B).
Fig.4
Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis utilization to confirm the mature miRNAs expression.
A-1. Wells related to negative control (NTC) and positive control (U6+)
are indicated in the figure. The subsequent wells are related to polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) products with primers designed for mature can-miR-1 at different
annealing temperatures. A-2. Fragments for primers 2 and 12 with 80-100
bp were observed for can-miR-2 sequence. B. Two observed mature miRNAs of
can-miR-2 with new sequence of primers loaded on polyacrylamide gel.
Observing GFP protein expression using florescence microscopy. GFP expression indicates
transfection accuracy in A-1, A-2. Pre-miRNA, B-1, B-2.
Scramble, C-1, C-2. Mock and D-1, D-2. Untransfected
HEK 293 cell lines.Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis utilization to confirm the mature miRNAs expression.
A-1. Wells related to negative control (NTC) and positive control (U6+)
are indicated in the figure. The subsequent wells are related to polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) products with primers designed for mature can-miR-1 at different
annealing temperatures. A-2. Fragments for primers 2 and 12 with 80-100
bp were observed for can-miR-2 sequence. B. Two observed mature miRNAs of
can-miR-2 with new sequence of primers loaded on polyacrylamide gel.
Discussion
Hemophilia-A is a result of a quantitative or qualitative
defect in a plasma protein that is involved in blood
clotting. It is a common genetic disease and one of
the most serious hereditary blood disorders. So far,
major molecular researches have focused on a variety
of mutations in F8 gene, particularly the effects of
coding region mutation on the rate and quality of FVIII
expression (27, 28). Researchers have found increasing
evidences based on aberrant expressions of some miRNAs
in various diseases by discovering miRNAs and proving
their highly significant role in regulating expression of the
most important genes.While clarifying the molecular mechanisms involved in
the relevant disorders, discovery of a miRNA associated
with a disease helps meet diagnostic and therapeutic
needs of the disease (29). So far, most of the miRNA
identification has been accomplished by RNA cloning and
sequencing. Various protocols have been developed for
this purpose and have been successfully used to identify
most of the current detected miRNAs.All of these protocols follow the same rule, but there
are differences in details of the method. The major
limitation in identifying miRNAs with cloning is difficult
to find miRNAs with low expression or in particular
stages or limited cell lines. Another problem with these
methods is problem to clone some miRNAs due to the
physical characteristics, like sequence composition and
posttranslational modifications (splicing, methylation). In
addition to the above problems, cost and time-consuming
will cause restrictions in these methods (30). In this
regard, computational algorithms provide quick, efficient
and inexpensive methods for predicting novel miRNAs in
genomic sequences. Furthermore, predicting the genomic
region of miRNA genes facilitates discovery of new genes
by limiting the search to specific regions, but predicting
the existence of miRNA genes by computational processes
is not enough to prove these genes and the presence
of predicted miRNA genes should be experimentally
confirmed by examining the intrinsic expressions of the
mature form of miRNA (31, 32). Although, more than 10
million transcribed loci would increase hairpin structures,
not all of them are indeed cleaved to mature miRNAs in the
human genome (33). Kim (32) indicated some conditions
to mimic a small RNA as a miRNA: first, its expression
should be confirmed by some methods like RT-PCR or
primer analysis. Second, small RNA sequence should be
located in a 60-80 nucleotides hairpin-structure, at either
5´ or 3´ arm of the hairpin without bulges or internal
loops. Third, small RNA sequence should be conserved
phylogenetically. Sequence conservation must be seen
in the hairpin precursor (pri-miRNA) which is often
less than mature miRNA. Finally, increase in miRNA
precursor level by reducing Dicer function is a good
witness for the existence of miRNA. However, due to
problems and technical difficulties that exist in destroying
Dicer in some cells, the latter criterion is not used similar
to the other criteria.Considering the conservation factor and the use of
RNAfold database to analyze folding and minimum free
energy, Yoon and Micheli. (34) predicted the structures
of miRNA precursors and identified 38 novel human
miRNAs among the structures that were highly similar to
the identified miRNAs. Additionally, in the same fashion,
Lai et al. (35) confirmed 24 novel miRNA genes by
bioinformatics analysis.By adopting a phylogenetic approach, Berezikov et
al. (36) found that nucleotides in the stem sequence of
miRNA precursor had significantly higher conservation
than the other sequences in stem loop. Considering the
matter as well as the other features of known miRNAs,
they presented 69 potential candidates for the miRNA and
confirmed expression of 16 mature miRNA by Northern
blotting; thus 16 novel human miRNAs were identified.
Furtheremore, by combining bioinformatics predictions
with microarray analysis and direct cloning of sequences,
Bentwich et al. (37) introduced 89 novel human miRNAs.Using SSCProfiler, UCSC genome browser and several other databases, Dokanehiifard et al.
(38) successfully predicted and validated two novel miRNAs in the TRKC gene
and hsa-miR-6165 in NGFR. They also investigated their possible association
with colorectal cancer. Additionally, they predicted and confirmed a new miRNA in
PIK3KCA human gene with a possible role in colorectal cancer.By developing a method based on miRDeep,
Dokanehiifard et al. (39) discovered 99 putative novel
miRNAs that were associated with neurodegenerative
diseases. Saleh et al. (40) completely validated the novel
hsa-miR-3675b inhibiting proliferation of human breast
carcinoma cells. In this work, in order to identify and
confirm candidate regions for the expression of miRNAs
in F8 gene bioinformatics methods were utilized. Two
candidate regions with appropriate miRNA characteristics
and the successful cloning of these areas were determined
by the result of the bioinformatics studies. To express
these miRNA precursors in human cells, recombinant
human vector transfections were performed in a
human cell line. It was expected that these cells would
create their corresponding mature miRNAs using their
processing system by expressing these precursors in the
cells. Search for the mature miRNAs were carried out,
but no result was achieved after RNA extraction and PCR
using the possible mature miRNA primers. It is believed
that expression of the predicted miRNA will be detected
through altering cell lines and expression vectors or
changing the experimental conditions. Another possible
recommendation to confirm the candidate miRNA in the
transfected cell lines includes PCR conditions, changing
cDNA synthesis method or designing different primers.
Conclusion
Considering the findings obtained from this study,
further studies are needed to confirm the presence of
candidate miRNAs, in the light of the above points. After confirmation of the miRNAs at this stage, expression levels
should be measured within the transfected and non-transfected
cell populations using Real time-PCR. Since the protocols of
this study were based on the published articles, bioinformatics
prediction of miRNAs in different genes of HEK293 cell line
has been experimentally validated. Moreover, expression of
the mentioned miRNAs (can-miR-1 and can-miR-2) was
confirmed by deep sequencing and RNA sequencing data.
Confirmation of the presence of these miRNAs in the F8
gene and their exogenous expression through the mentioned
protocol is the primary goal of this research. We need real-time PCR technique to evaluate endogenous expression of
the verified miRNAs. This will be the propsetive objective
for future investigations. Changing type of the cell line and
experimental conditions according to the recent protocols
is considered to resolve the problems of experimentally
confirmation of the candidate miRNAs in this article.
Authors: Márcia M Aranha; Daniela M Santos; Susana Solá; Clifford J Steer; Cecília M P Rodrigues Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-08-03 Impact factor: 3.240