Identification of miRNA-1 as a novel regulator of insulin-like growth factor-1 in deer antler proliferation and regeneration

In order to investigate miR-1 regulating the expression of IGF-1 in the proliferation of sika deer antler, an miR-1 mimic was transfected into antler cartilage cells. The result showed that miR-1 could bind to the 3'UTR of IGF-1 by dual-luciferase activity analysis. MTT assay revealed that miR-1 significantly inhibited the chondrocyte proliferation of deer antler tip. Furthermore, IGF-1 expression was decreased after transfection with miR-1 mimics by Western blotting. Therefore, miR-1 may be as a novel regulator of insulin-like growth factor-1 in deer antler proliferation and regeneration. Our study is the first investigation of the regulating effect of miR-1 on the expression of the IGF-1 gene in deer antler.