Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis
Abstract Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently occurring disorder affecting reproductive and metabolic health. miR-338-3p is implicated in early follicular development. We aimed to investigate the expression of miR-338-3p in PCOS patients and its effects on proliferation and...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Hereditas |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00498-1 |
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| author | Lin Liang Jie Lv Wei Li Chengwen Song Ying Chen Huafang Wei |
| author_facet | Lin Liang Jie Lv Wei Li Chengwen Song Ying Chen Huafang Wei |
| author_sort | Lin Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently occurring disorder affecting reproductive and metabolic health. miR-338-3p is implicated in early follicular development. We aimed to investigate the expression of miR-338-3p in PCOS patients and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. Methods The study included 100 healthy women and 110 women diagnosed with PCOS as participants. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-338-3p and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was employed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of miR-338-3p. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations between miR-338-3p and luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, or PTEN. The target relationship of miR-338-3p and PTEN was confirmed via dual-luciferase assay. Results Serum miR-338-3p was decreased in PCOS patients, and it was negatively correlated with both LH and testosterone. Downregulation of miR-338-3p inhibits the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and enhances cell apoptosis, whereas upregulation produces the opposite effect. PTEN inhibition subverted the inhibited proliferation and enhanced apoptosis regulated by miR-338-3p inhibitor. Conclusions Reduced miR-338-3p levels have potential predictive value in distinguishing individuals with PCOS patients from normal population. Mechanistically, this microRNA regulates the PTEN gene to inhibit granulosa cell proliferation and promote apoptosis, thereby contributing to the pathological processes of PCOS. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a3a77893c5c4279b5481379589f9d87 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1601-5223 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Hereditas |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a3a77893c5c4279b5481379589f9d872025-08-20T03:46:07ZengBMCHereditas1601-52232025-07-0116211910.1186/s41065-025-00498-1Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosisLin Liang0Jie Lv1Wei Li2Chengwen Song3Ying Chen4Huafang Wei5Department of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyDepartment of Gynecology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of Chinese People’s Liberation ArmyAbstract Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently occurring disorder affecting reproductive and metabolic health. miR-338-3p is implicated in early follicular development. We aimed to investigate the expression of miR-338-3p in PCOS patients and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. Methods The study included 100 healthy women and 110 women diagnosed with PCOS as participants. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-338-3p and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was employed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of miR-338-3p. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations between miR-338-3p and luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, or PTEN. The target relationship of miR-338-3p and PTEN was confirmed via dual-luciferase assay. Results Serum miR-338-3p was decreased in PCOS patients, and it was negatively correlated with both LH and testosterone. Downregulation of miR-338-3p inhibits the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and enhances cell apoptosis, whereas upregulation produces the opposite effect. PTEN inhibition subverted the inhibited proliferation and enhanced apoptosis regulated by miR-338-3p inhibitor. Conclusions Reduced miR-338-3p levels have potential predictive value in distinguishing individuals with PCOS patients from normal population. Mechanistically, this microRNA regulates the PTEN gene to inhibit granulosa cell proliferation and promote apoptosis, thereby contributing to the pathological processes of PCOS.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00498-1Polycystic ovarian syndromemiR-338-3pApoptosisProliferation |
| spellingShingle | Lin Liang Jie Lv Wei Li Chengwen Song Ying Chen Huafang Wei Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis Hereditas Polycystic ovarian syndrome miR-338-3p Apoptosis Proliferation |
| title | Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| title_full | Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| title_fullStr | Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| title_short | Reduced miR-338-3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| title_sort | reduced mir 338 3p contributes to polycystic ovarian syndrome by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis |
| topic | Polycystic ovarian syndrome miR-338-3p Apoptosis Proliferation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00498-1 |
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