Mir-137 Regulates Testosterone Secretion In Leydig Cells Of Rats By Kiss-1

Objective: To determine the effect of miR-137 on secretion of testosterone in Leydig cells of rats by Kiss-1. Methods: Animal models of delayed hypogonadal hypofunction (LOH) were established. The techniques of qRT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA were applied for detection of expression of miRNA-137 and Kiss-1 proteins, and testosterone in Leydig cells of animal models. Dual luciferase reporter assays were employed to predict the association between miRNA-137 and Kiss-1 protein. Results: Remarkably lower miRNA-137 expression (t = 4.771, P = 0.001) and considerably higher Kiss-1 protein expression (t = 4.757, P = 0.002) in Leydig cells of rats was observed in the control group than in the experimental group. Testosterone testing revealed that the control group was substantially higher than that of the experimental group (t = 4.683, P = 0.002). Correlation analysis demonstrated that miRNA-137 was negatively correlated with Kiss-1 in LOH rats (r = -0.748, P = 0.001), whereas miRNA-137 was negatively correlated with testosterone in LOH rats (r = -0.637, P = 0.005). In contrast, Kiss-1 was positively correlated with testosterone in LOH rats (r = 0.774, P = 0.019). Dual luciferase reporter assays indicated that miR-137 bound to the 3'UTR region of Kiss-1 gene. Conclusion: miR-137 may inhibit the secretion of testosterone in Leydig cells of rats by binding to Kiss-1.