Using RT-PCR, mRNA expression of miR-122 targets involved in lipogenesis was evaluated following over-expression of miR-122 in vitro. As shown in a-d, mRNA levels of FAS, HMGCR, SREBP-1c and SREBP-2 remained unchanged at 24hrs after over-expression. This was followed by a significant decrease in mRNA expression by 48hrs (p< 0.03 for all). Protein expression of HMGCR, FAS and mature SREBP1c and SREBP2 decreased significantly (p< 0.003 for all) at 48hrs after miR-122 over-expression as shown in panels e and f (None: no treatment; scrambled: transfection with RNA duplex containing a scrambled sequence without known gene targets; pre: transfection with miR-122 RNA).