MicroRNA-20a inhibits stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis involving its novel target Egln3/PHD3

► Excessive stress is a potent inductor of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and remodelling. ► miR-20a is upregulated in acute biomechanical stress as well as hypoxia. ► miR-20a significantly inhibited hypoxia-mediated apoptosis. ► miR-20a's antiapoptotic effect appears to be mediated through targeting of Egln3. ► This study reveals miR-20a as a novel cardioprotective microRNA.