The c-myb proto-oncogene and microRNA-15a comprise an active autoregulatory feedback loop in human hematopoietic cells

Blood. 2009 Jan 15;113(3):505-16. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-01-136218. Epub 2008 Sep 25.

Abstract

The c-myb proto-oncogene encodes an obligate hematopoietic cell transcription factor important for lineage commitment, proliferation, and differentiation. Given its critical functions, c-Myb regulatory factors are of great interest but remain incompletely defined. Herein we show that c-Myb expression is subject to posttranscriptional regulation by microRNA (miRNA)-15a. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that miR-15a directly binds the 3'-UTR of c-myb mRNA. By transfecting K562 myeloid leukemia cells with a miR-15a mimic, functionality of binding was shown. The mimic decreased c-Myb expression, and blocked the cells in the G(1) phase of cell cycle. Exogenous expression of c-myb mRNA lacking the 3'-UTR partially rescued the miR-15a induced cell-cycle block. Of interest, the miR-15a promoter contained several potential c-Myb protein binding sites. Occupancy of one canonical c-Myb binding site was demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and shown to be required for miR-15a expression in K562 cells. Finally, in studies using normal human CD34(+) cells, we showed that c-Myb and miR-15a expression were inversely correlated in cells undergoing erythroid differentiation, and that overexpression of miR-15a blocked both erythroid and myeloid colony formation in vitro. In aggregate, these findings suggest the presence of a c-Myb-miR-15a autoregulatory feedback loop of potential importance in human hematopoiesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Blood Cells / cytology
  • Blood Cells / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, myb / physiology*
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology*
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Antigens, CD34
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • MIRN15 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb