Glucocorticoid receptor regulates expression of microRNA-22 and downstream signaling pathway in apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells

Figure 3 Prediction of the transcription factors of microRNA-22 and the luciferase reporter. A: The possible transcription factors of microRNA-22 (miR-22) were predicted, of which Nr3c1 had the highest score; B: The luciferase reporter expression after the overexpression of Nr3c1; C: The predicted glucocorticoid receptor binding sites within the miR-22 promoter and the mutant versions generated by site mutagenesis are shown; D: The luciferase reporter expression after mutagenesis. MiR-22 promoter NC, mut 1, or mut 2 plasmid was co-transfected with Nr3c1 NC or Nr3c1 OE plasmid into AR42J cells, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed 48 h after transfection; E: Results of the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and ChIP-qPCR. Data were obtained from three independent experiments performed in triplicate and are shown as the mean ± SD. ^NSP > 0.05, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001 vs Nr3c1 NC + miR-22 promoter NC, Nr3c1 NC + miR-22 promoter, Nr3c1 NC + miR-22 promoter WT, Nr3c1 OE + miR-22 promoter NC, Nr3c1 OE + miR-22 promoter WT or IgG groups. ChIP: Chromatin immunoprecipitation; GR: Glucocorticoid receptor; mut: Mutagenesis; OE: Overexpression; miR-22: MicroRNA-22.