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A trans-homologue interaction between reciprocally imprinted miR-127 and Rtl1 regulates placenta development.


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ito, Mitsuteru 
Sferruzzi-Perri, Amanda N 
Edwards, Carol A 
Adalsteinsson, Bjorn T 
Allen, Sarah E 

Abstract

The paternally expressed imprinted retrotransposon-like 1 (Rtl1) is a retrotransposon-derived gene that has evolved a function in eutherian placentation. Seven miRNAs, including miR-127, are processed from a maternally expressed antisense Rtl1 transcript (Rtl1as) and regulate Rtl1 levels through RNAi-mediated post-transcriptional degradation. To determine the relative functional role of Rtl1as miRNAs in Rtl1 dosage, we generated a mouse specifically deleted for miR-127. The miR-127 knockout mice exhibit placentomegaly with specific defects within the labyrinthine zone involved in maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. Although fetal weight is unaltered, specific Rtl1 transcripts and protein levels are increased in both the fetus and placenta. Phenotypic analysis of single (ΔmiR-127/Rtl1 or miR-127/ΔRtl1) and double (ΔmiR-127/ΔRtl1) heterozygous miR-127- and Rtl1-deficient mice indicate that Rtl1 is the main target gene of miR-127 in placental development. Our results demonstrate that miR-127 is an essential regulator of Rtl1, mediated by a trans-homologue interaction between reciprocally imprinted genes on the maternally and paternally inherited chromosomes.

Description

Keywords

Genomic imprinting, Mir127, Placenta development, Rtl1 (Peg11), miR-127, Animals, Chromosomes, Crosses, Genetic, Exons, Female, Gene Deletion, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Genomic Imprinting, Heterozygote, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, MicroRNAs, Multigene Family, Phenotype, Placenta, Placentation, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Proteins, RNA Interference

Journal Title

Development

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0950-1991
1477-9129

Volume Title

142

Publisher

The Company of Biologists
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/J001597/1)
Wellcome Trust (095606/Z/11/Z)
European Commission (290123)
This work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC) and EU FP7 Marie Curie Action 290123 (INGENIUM). This work was partly funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) CJ Martin Biomedical Fellowship to A.N.S.P.