MicroRNA-27b-3p regulates function and metabolism in insulin resistance cells by inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with insulin resistance-induced lipid and glucose metabolism disorder. The study was aimed to explore the potential functional role of microRNA (miR)-27b-3p in T2DM, as well as underlying mechanisms. An insulin resistance cell model was induced in HepG2 cells and then expression of miR-27b-3p and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) was analyzed. The expression of miR-27b-3p was overexpressed or silenced, and the relationship between ROR1 and miR-27b-3p was investigated. Thereafter, the effects of miR-27b3p on percentage of glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation and cell cycle were analyzed. The expressions of miR-27b3p were significantly increased, while the ROR1 levels were statistically decreased in the cells of the model group. Overexpression of miR-27b-3p dramatically decreased the levels of ROR1 and the percentage of glucose uptake, but had no effects on fatty acid oxidation. ROR1 was a target of miR-27b-3p. Moreover, overexpression of miR-27b-3p could remarkably highlight the percentages of cells at G0/G1 phase, but decreased the percentages of cells at S phase. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-27b-3p regulates the function and metabolism of insulin resistance cells by inhibiting ROR1. miR-27b-3p might be a potential drug target in treating T2DM.