MicroRNA let-7 establishes expression of β2-adrenergic receptors and dynamically down-regulates agonist-promoted down-regulation

WCH Wang, AH Juan, A Panebra… - Proceedings of the …, 2011 - National Acad Sciences
WCH Wang, AH Juan, A Panebra, SB Liggett
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011National Acad Sciences
Although β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) are expressed on most cell types, mechanisms
that establish expression levels and regulate expression by chronic agonist remain unclear.
The 3′ UTR of ADRB2 has a conserved 8-nucleotide seed region that we hypothesized is
targeted by the let-7 family of miRNAs leading to translational repression. In luciferase
assays with transfected cells, luc-β2WT3′ UTR had decreased expression when
cotransfected with let-7f, but a mutated luc-β23′ UTR lacking the seed was unaffected by …
Although β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) are expressed on most cell types, mechanisms that establish expression levels and regulate expression by chronic agonist remain unclear. The 3′ UTR of ADRB2 has a conserved 8-nucleotide seed region that we hypothesized is targeted by the let-7 family of miRNAs leading to translational repression. In luciferase assays with transfected cells, luc-β2WT3′UTR had decreased expression when cotransfected with let-7f, but a mutated luc-β23′UTR lacking the seed was unaffected by let-7f; a mutated let-7f also had no effect on luc-β2WT3′UTR expression. ADRB2 mRNA was in greater abundance in immunoprecipitates of Ago2, a core component of the miRNA-induced silencing complex, when cells were transfected with let-7f, but not with a mutated let-7f, indicating a direct interaction with the silencing mechanism. H292 cells transfected with let-7f caused ∼60% decrease in native β2AR expression, but transfection with let-7f–specific locked nucleic acid anti-miRNA increased β2AR expression by ∼twofold. We considered that an increase in let-7f leading to greater repression of translation contributes to agonist-promoted down-regulation. Paradoxically, in cells and in lungs from mice treated in vivo, an ∼50% decrease in let-7f occurs during long-term agonist exposure, indicating a counterregulatory event. Consistent with this notion, let-7f locked nucleic acid transfection caused depressed agonist-promoted down-regulation. Thus, let-7f miRNA regulates baseline β2AR expression and decreases in let-7f evoked by agonist attenuate down-regulation. This positive feedback loop has not previously been described for a G protein-coupled receptor and its miRNA. Methods to decrease let-7f expression in targeted cells may increase therapeutic responses to β-agonist by increasing β2AR expression or minimizing tachyphylaxis.
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