MiR-34a REGULATES APOPTOSIS IN LIVER CELLS BY TARGETING THE KLF4 GENE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) for degradation in a post-transcriptional fashion. In this study, we show that ectopic expression of miR-34a-5p reduces the mRNA and protein levels of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). We also demonstrate that miR-34a targets the 3'-untranslated mRNA region of KLF4 and show that overexpression of miR-34a induces a significant level of apoptosis in BNL CL. 2 cells exposed to doxorubicin or 10 Gy X-ray. Our data suggest that the effects of miR-34a on apoptosis occur due to the downregulation of KLF4.