Figure 7. Mechanism of TUG1 and miR-132 action.
LncRNA TUG1 competes with miR-132 for binding to the 3′-UTR of Shh, leading to the negative inhibition of miR-132 and the activation of Hh signaling. TUG1 c acts as a “molecular sponge” and binds to miRNA response elements in miR-132, thereby inhibiting miR-132.