Table 3.

Gene targets for folate‐sensitive miRNAs

Gene symbol	Gene name	Validated miRNA target(s)	Predicted miRNA target	Altered in pregnancy pathologies	Altered by folate status
MYC	v‐myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian)	34b‐5p 222–3p		↑mRNA in FGR placenta [25]	↑ in liver of folate‐deficient rat model 26
ZEB 2	zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 2	141‐3p 222–3p	34b‐5p	↓ uterine tissue mouse model of PTB 31
CDK6	Cyclin‐dependent kinase 6	34b‐5p	141‐3p 222‐3p	Placental expression positively correlates with birthweight 48
VEGF A	Vascular endothelial growth factor A	34b‐5p	141‐3p	↑ in FGR placenta 27	↑ or ↓ in folate deficient cells 28
BCL2	B‐cell CLL/lymphoma 2	34b‐5p	141‐3p 222–3p	↑ in FGR/PE placenta 29
BCL2L11	BCL2‐like 11 (apoptosis facilitator, BIM)	222‐3p	34b‐5p 141‐3p	↑ in FGR placenta 29	↑ with folate deficiency 28
CDKN1B	Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27, Kip1)	222‐3p	34b‐5p 141‐3p	↑ in PE placenta 53	↑ with folate deficiency 28
CDKN1C	Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (p57, Kip2)	222‐3p		↑ in PE/FGR placenta 25, 53	↑ with folate deficiency 28
TP53	Tumor protein p53	222‐3p	34b‐5p 141‐3p	↑ in FGR placenta 30	↑ and ↓ with folate deficiency 28
ZEB 1	Zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1	141‐3p		↓ in uterine tissue mouse model of PTB 31
IGF2	Insulin like growth factor 2	141‐3p		Placental specific K/O mouse models have FGR pups 32

Experimentally validated and putative targets of miRNAs, and association with folate deficiency and/or pregnancy complications.

FGR, fetal growth restriction; IBC, individualized birthweight centile; K/O, knock‐out; PE, preeclampsia; PTB, preterm birth.