miR-526b targets 3′ UTR of MMP1 mRNA

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is important for many physiological processes involving cancers, inflammation, tissue remodeling and skin aging. Here, we report the novel finding that the expression of MMP1 mRNA is downregulated by the overexpression of miR-526b which is a member of chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (C19MC). Our analysis using reporter constructs containing the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of MMP1 and its mutant form showed that the region from 377–383 in the 3′ UTR of MMP1 is critical for targeting by miR-526b. In addition, the expression pattern of miR-526b and MMP1 mRNA showed reverse relation between adult dermal and neonatal fibroblasts. We show for the first time that miR-526b, an miRNA belonging to C19MC, can target the 377–383 region of the MMP1 3′ UTR.