Functional screening for miRNAs targeting Smad4 identified miR-199a as a negative regulator of TGF-β signalling pathway.

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway participates in various biological processes. Dysregulation of Smad4, a central cellular transducer of TGF-β signalling, is implicated in a wide range of human diseases and developmental disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying Smad4 dysregulation are not fully understood.

[Cardiomycyte overexpression of miR-27b resulted in cardiac fibrosis and mitochondria injury in mice].

Previous microRNA (miRNA) array results have shown that the expression of miR-27b is upregulated in heart tissues from human cardiomyopathy and pressure-overloaded hypertrophic mouse model, implying that miR-27b might play an important role in heart diseases. To study the in vivo function of miR-27b, we generated a transgenic mouse line overexpressing miR-27b under the control of the 5.5 kb promoter of a-myosin heavy chain (a-MHC).

miR-21 promotes keratinocyte migration and re-epithelialization during wound healing.

MicroRNAs involved in keratinocyte migration and wound healing are largely unknown. Here, we revealed the indispensable role of miR-21 in keratinocyte migration and in re-epithelialization during wound healing in mice. In HaCaT cell, miR-21 could be upregulated by TGF-β1.

miR-148a promoted cell proliferation by targeting p27 in gastric cancer cells.

Accumulating evidence has shown that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in human gastric cancer and crucial to tumorigenesis. Herein, we identified the role of miR-148a in gastric cell proliferation. miR-148a knockdown inhibited cell proliferation in gastric cancer cell lines.

[Preparation of polyclonal antibody against human Fkbp19].

Aim: To prepare the polyclonal antibody against human Fkbp19 for future functional studies of Fkbp19.

Methods: Prokaryotic expression vector pET21a-Fkbp19 was transformed into E.coli BL21-DE3, and then induced by IPTG.