Induction of mir-3648 upon ER stress and its regulatory role in cell proliferation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles under multiple cellular conditions including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We found that miR-3648, a human specific microRNA, was induced under ER stress. Moreover, Adenomatous polyposis coli 2 (APC2), a tumor suppressor and a negative regulator of Wnt signaling, was found to be the direct target of miR-3648. Levels of APC2 were downregulated when cells were under ER stress or after overexpressing miR-3648. Inhibition of miR-3648 by antagomir increased APC2 levels and decreased cell proliferation. Conversely, when miR-3648 was overexpressed, APC2 levels were decreased and the cell growth increased. Our data demonstrated that ER stress mediated induction of miR-3648 in human cells, which then downregulated APC2 to increase cell proliferation.