MiR-429 regulates rat liver regeneration and hepatocyte proliferation by targeting JUN/MYC/BCL2/CCND1 signaling pathway

Increasing evidence indicates that miR-429 is involved in tumor suppression in various human cancers. However, its role in liver regeneration remains unexplored. Liver regeneration is a highly orchestrated process that can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), although the mechanisms are largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the role of miR-429 in hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. First, we performed microarray analysis and qRT-PCR. Results indicated that miR-429 level in rat liver markedly decreased 30 h after partial hepatectomy, and miR-429 overexpression disrupted BRL-3A proliferation and the transition of G1 to S phase in rat hepatocyte and promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. By contrast, miR-429 down-regulation had inverse effects. MiR-429 negatively regulated JUN expression in vitro and in vivo. After using JUN siRNA, we found that JUN inhibition mediates the effect of miR-429 in hepatocyte proliferation and growth and miR-429 negatively regulates JUN/MYC/BCL2/CCND1 signaling pathways. Our results also indicated that miR-429 inhibits hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration by targeting JUN/MYC/BCL2/CCND1.