MicroRNA-106b regulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis by targeting mitofusion-2

Abstract

MicroRNA-106b (MIR-106b) is reported to be closely associated with skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The present study further investigated the role of MIR-106b in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in vivo. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and infected with lentivirus expressing MIR-106b (MIR-106b mice), MIR-106b sponge (MIR-106b inhibition mice) or the corresponding empty vectors. Mitofusion-2 (Mfn2) protein expression levels and glucose transporter (Glut)-4 protein translocation were significantly reduced in the muscle of MIR-106b mice, whereas they were unaffected in MIR-106b inhibition mice. MIR-106b mice had significantly increased blood glucose levels following 12 h of fasting and impaired glucose tolerance, whereas MIR-106b inhibition mice had no significant alterations in fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. In vitro, the suppressive effect of MIR-106b on glucose uptake and Glut4 translocation was completely inhibited in C2C12 myotubes infected with Mfn2 plasmids. Following treatment of C2C12 myotubes with Mfn2 small interfering RNA, MIR-106b inhibition consistently increased Mfn2 protein levels and improved glucose uptake and Glut4 translocation. These results indicated that MIR-106b targeted Mfn2 and regulated skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Therefore, increased MIR-106b expression may be a potential mechanism underlying insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.