| Expression pattern: |
DN |
| Associated gene: |
MEF2C |
| Associated microRNA: |
miR-373-3p |
| Biological function: |
maintains myogenic capacity and supports myoblast fusion/myotube formation; derepresses MEF2C translation and supports sarcomere gene expression |
| Molecular mechanism: |
Acts as a competing endogenous RNA (miRNA sponge) for miR-373-3p, relieving translational repression of MEF2C; reduced circNFIX in CP increases miR-373-3p availability and lowers MEF2C protein, leading to downregulation of sarcomere genes |
| Biological pathway or process: |
ceRNA regulation (promotes); proliferation (other); other pathway/process (other) |
| Detected method: |
Q
|
| Validation methods: |
divergent primers PCR; Back-Splice Junction PCR; Sanger Sequencing; RNase R Treatment; RT-qPCR; FISH / smFISH; Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Fractionation; Luciferase Reporter Assay; Bioinformatics Analysis; Transfection; In Vivo Animal Model; IF (Immunofluorescence); Western Blot; Digital PCR |
| Clinical significance: |
suggesting circNFIX as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for early CP diagnosis |
| Description: |
In spastic cerebral palsy, circNFIX is down-regulated in muscle satellite cell-derived myoblasts/myotubes and skeletal muscle tissue, and shows increased nuclear localization. circNFIX functions as a ceRNA that sponges miR-373-3p to relieve translational repression of MEF2C, supporting MEF2C protein and sarcomere gene expression; circNFIX knockdown phenocopies CP by reducing MEF2C and myogenic fusion capacity. |
| Confidence score: |
0.7656 |