NTS Targeted By miR-182 Modulates the Apoptosis of Goat Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Abstract Neurotensin is a tridecapeptide that functions in prenatal metabolism. It is targeted and downregulated by miR-182 through binding the seed site of miR-182 to the 3′ untranslated region and reduced by a candidate tumor suppressor, testin. Considering that apoptosis is critical in the development of mammalian preattachment embryos, this study investigated the modulation of neurotensin to the apoptosis of goat endometrial epithelial cells and apoptosis-related proteins (P38 MAPK and caspase8). Results showed that Neurotensin resisted the apoptosis of goat endometrial epithelial cells through the caspase8 pathway and activated the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, which is involved in blastocyst formation. Thus, miR-182 is likely to promote uterus health by targeting Neurotensin and upregulating Testin.