MicroRNA‐130a‐3p Targets the Androgen‐Related Transcription Factor MAFB : Effects on Proliferation, Migration, Apoptosis, and Cell Cycle in Hypospadias
Jiaxin Zhou, Yixuan Wang, Zhicheng Zhang, Qiang Zhang, Zhenmin Liu, Hongsong Chen, Xingguo Luo, Chunlan Long, Lianju Shen, Xing Liu, Guanghui WeiABSTRACT
Hypospadias is among the most frequent congenital malformations of the male genitalia. The expression of V‐maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B ( MAFB ), a transcription factor within the androgen signaling pathway, is closely correlated with the etiology of this condition. From an epigenetic perspective, this study investigated the role of microRNA‐130a‐3p (miR‐130a‐3p) in regulating MAFB during hypospadias pathogenesis. Clinical foreskin samples from hypospadias children and the dioctyl phthalate (DEHP)‐induced mouse genital tubercle tissues were analyzed. The expression levels of miR‐130a‐3p and MAFB were detected by qRT‐PCR and western blot. In vitro, miR‐130a‐3p was modulated in HS68 cells; CCK‐8, scratch assay, western blot, flow cytometry, and dual‐luciferase assay were used to assess its effects and targeting of MAFB . Our study demonstrated that miR‐130a‐3p targeted and suppressed MAFB expression. This suppression inhibited cellular proliferation and migration and reduced Vimentin mRNA expression. Cell cycle distribution was disrupted, marked by Gap 1 phase increase and Synthesis phase reduction, and the cell apoptosis rate increased. Cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), Cyclin E1, and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) were downregulated. miR‐130a‐3p targets and inhibits MAFB expression, disrupting the normal processes of cell proliferation, migration, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle progression, ultimately leading to the development of hypospadias.