CiRS-187 regulates BMPR2 expression by targeting miR-187 in bovine cumulus cells treated with BMP15 and GDF9.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in regulating biological processes. However, the contributions of circRNAs to BMPR2 regulation during follicle development remain unknown. In this study, we first verified the optimal conditions for BMP15 and GDF9 treatment in bovine cumulus cells. Then, we screened and identified candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) that may target the BMPR 2 3′UTR with TargetScan, a luciferase reporter assay and RT-qPCR. Next, we transfected miR-187 into bovine cumulus cells, and the results showed that miR-187 regulated BMPR2 and inhibited its expression. To explore the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism, we predicted the sponging circRNAs of miR-187 and identified ciRS-187. We further detected miR-187 and BMPR2 expression and apoptosis levels upon knockdown of ciRS-187 and found that ciRS-187 upregulated BMPR2 expression. The results provide a theoretical basis for a ceRNA mechanism of circRNAs related to follicle development. • BMP15 and GDF9 are able to significantly promote the expression of BMPR2. • miR-187 inhibits the expression of BMPR2 by targeting it. • ciRS-187 promotes the expression of BMPR2 by inhibiting miR-187 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]