miR-499 regulates mitochondrial dynamics by targeting calcineurin and dynamin-related protein-1

Nat Med. 2011 Jan;17(1):71-8. doi: 10.1038/nm.2282. Epub 2010 Dec 26.

Abstract

Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Here we report that modulation of microRNA-499 (miR-499) levels affects apoptosis and the severity of myocardial infarction and cardiac dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion. We found that both the α- and β-isoforms of the calcineurin catalytic subunit are direct targets of miR-499 and that miR-499 inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis through its suppression of calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1), thereby decreasing Drp1 accumulation in mitochondria and Drp1-mediated activation of the mitochondrial fission program. We also found that p53 transcriptionally downregulates miR-499 expression. Our data reveal a role for miR-499 in regulating the mitochondrial fission machinery and we suggest that modulation of miR-499 levels may provide a therapeutic approach for treating myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcineurin / physiology*
  • Dogs
  • Dynamins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / physiology*
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology*
  • Mitochondria / physiology*
  • Mitochondria, Heart / physiology
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / physiology*
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy
  • Rats
  • Reperfusion Injury / drug therapy
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology*
  • Ventricular Remodeling / drug effects

Substances

  • MIRN499 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Calcineurin
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • DNM1L protein, human
  • Dynamins