Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP45-02
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding, endogenous RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and play roles in various pathophysiological functions including erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to identify miRs expressed in post-prostatectomy ED penis tissue and to analyze the target genes and signaling pathways regulated by the dysregulated miRs.

Methods

RNA was isolated from the penis tissues from shame group and rats with cavernous nerve injury induced erectile dysfunction. The P1 chip from Thermo Fisher was used to analyse the miRNA expression profiling. The miRNA profilings were further validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The TargetScan and DAVID were used for bioinformatic analysis.

Results

124 miRNAs was found dysregulated in ED groups, in which 122 miRNAs were up-regulated. Of the 122 miRNAs, 21 miRNAs changed above twofold. miR-142, miR-101a and miR-200a were finally validated over-expressed in ED groups. TargetScan v7.1 was used to generate lists of target genes regulated by the two miRNAs. The lists were then sent to the bioinformatics database DAVID. GO and KEGG pathway analyses of the targets were performed. The results revealed that the three miRNAs could be involved in the processes of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and so on. After bioinformatic analysis, Table 1 listed 4 pathways which correlated to the three miRNAs with statistical significance (P value < 0.05), and also might be involved in the pathogenesis of ED.

Conclusions

Three miRNAs were found up-regulated significantly in the corpus cavernosum of rats with cavernous nerve injury induced ED. The three miRNAs might play important roles in the development of ED by regulating several of pathways but future studies are needed to validate these regulation mechanisms directly.

Funding

None