MicroRNA-331-3p affects preadipocytes’ proliferation and differentiation and fatty acid accumulation in Laiwu pigs

The proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes are regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), hormones and other factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-331-3p on the proliferationand differentiation of preadipocytes in addition to fatty acid metabolism. The data indicated that miR-331-3p is a novel regulator of cellular differentiation. It was observed that miR-331-3p was capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation. Furthermore, miR-331-3p was highly expressed during cellular differentiation andappeared to promote the process. In addition, dual fluorescein analysis showed that dihydrolipoamideS-succinyltransferase (DLST) is a target gene of miR-331-3p, and over-expression of miR-331-3p could regulate the metabolism of fatty acids in the citrate pyruvate cycle by targeting DLST expression. In summary, these findings indicated that miR-331-3p exerts contrasting effects on the processes ofproliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes.