Abstract: Objective To evaluate the expression profile of miR-29 family in the skeletal muscle of GK rats and to further probe the function of miR-29 family in glucose uptake in L6 cells induced by insulin. Methods The expression of miR-29 family was detected by using real-time PCR. miR-29 levels in L6 cells treated by glucose and insulin were measured by using real-time PCR and Northern Blot. Gain of- or loss of- function of miR-29 was achieved by a recombinant adenovirus system and the effect of miR-29 on insulin resistance was measured by insulin-induced glucose uptake assay. Results miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c expression was upregulated in the skeletal muscle of GK rats and miR-29b and miR-29c expression levels were elevated in L6 cells treated by glucose and insulin. Moreover, enforced expression of miR-29 significantly suppressed insulin-induced glucose uptake in L6 cells and loss-of-function of miR-29 by using Ad-sp-miR-29 led to an increase of glucose uptake. Conclusion miR-29 family is involved in the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance of GK rats and targeting miR-29 maybe provide a novel strategy for Type II diabetes therapy.

Key words: microRNA-29, Type II diabetes, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance