The Effects of Palmitic Acid on MicroRNA‐26a Expression and Skeletal Muscle Insulin Signaling

Abstract

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRs) are non‐protein coding RNAs that interact with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to post transcriptionally regulate protein translation. The miRs important in regulating skeletal muscle insulin resistance are not fully identified.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the role of miR‐26a on lipid induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells.MethodsC2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells were treated to increase levels of miR‐26a (mimic) using commercially available kits (Qiagen). C2C12 mouse myoblasts were grown to full confluence, serum starved for 3 hours then treated with 0.5 mM palmitic acid (PA) to induce insulin resistance. Cells received PA for 24 hours followed by a 100 nM insulin treatment for 15 minutes. Real‐time PCR was used to examine levels of miR‐26a, and Western blotting was utilized to investigate insulin sensitive protein expression.ResultsCells receiving mimic had increases in miR‐26a levels and cells receiving palmitic acid had decreased responsiveness to insulin. Overexpressing miR‐26a levels in C2C12 muscle cells improved responsiveness to insulin in the presence of palmitic acid.ConclusionsHere we show that increasing miR‐26a levels in vitro can improve insulin responsiveness in mouse skeletal muscle cells with lipid induced insulin resistance. The mechanisms of how miR‐26a is operating in skeletal muscle need to be further explored.Support or Funding InformationFaculty Research GrantThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.