Using bioinformatics to predict potential targets of microrna-144 in osteoarthritis

Abstract

MicroRNAs are short endogenous non-coding RNA molecules, typically 19-25 nucleotides in length, which negatively regulate gene expression through binding to 3’UTR of target mRNAs, leading to repression of protein translation or target mRNA degradation. MicroRNA-144 (miR-144) was found as an abnormal expression in various diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). We have identified increased microRNA-144 expression in early phase and end stage of OA. However, the molecular mechanism of this increase has not been yet to be determined yet. Using bioinformatics tools, we found more than 4,000 mRNAs that are predicted to be potential direct targets of miR-144, including mRNAs involved in the critical signaling pathways in OA e.g. TGF(3/Smad2/3 and WNT/p-catenin. Results from this research provide information for future ex periments to validate miR-144 potential targets.