Fig. 1.

Putative microRNAs identified to regulate gene expression in the PGE₂ pathway. Arachidonic acid is liberated from phospholipids by phospholipase A₂ and phospholipase C activity. Free arachidonic acid can then be converted into the intermediate PGH₂ by either isoform of the cyclooxygenase enzymes, COX-1, and COX-2. PGE synthases mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cPGES can convert PGH₂ into PGE₂. PGE₂ (green circles) can then act on the cell surface receptors EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 in both autocrine and paracrine pathways to facilitate cellular signaling. MicroRNA target prediction reveals that members of the miR-200 family, miR-143/145, miR-101, and miR-16-1/15a have been predicted to target multiple genes involved in the generation and action of PGE₂. miRNAs shown in red have been predicted using microRNA. org and MicroCosm Targets algorithms. miRNAs shown in blue were predicted to bind the respective mRNA 3′UTR using RNAhybrid using an MFE threshold of −20 kcal/mol. Functionally validated miRNAs are shown in black