Effect of siRNA targeted against MKK4 on myostatin-induced downregulation of differentiation marker gene expression

Mol Cell Biochem. 2008 Mar;310(1-2):241-4. doi: 10.1007/s11010-007-9677-1. Epub 2007 Nov 30.

Abstract

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was reported to be involved in myostatin signaling and MKK4 was suggested as the only upstream kinase for myostatin-induced JNK activation, implying that MKK4 is a suitable target of RNA interference (RNAi) for blocking myostatin activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against MKK4 on myostatin-induced downregulation of differentiation marker gene expression. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that the level of MKK4 expression was efficiently reduced by MKK4-specific siRNA. Western blot assays showed that knockdown of MKK4 attenuated the myostatin-induced downregulation of MyoD and myogenin expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Myostatin
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Mstn protein, mouse
  • Myostatin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Map2k4 protein, mouse