Figure 2. Location of qRT-PCR primers used to detect TRPM1 (miR-211 host gene) and TRPM3 (miR-204 host gene).

For the detection of TRPM1 and TRPM3, we chose primers that are located in E6 and E7, which are the exons that flank the intron from which the microRNAs are expressed, while Díaz-Martínez and colleagues did not. In light of the fact that host genes are characterized by multiple isoforms, this strategy is considered the most accurate when the expression level of the mature microRNA and that of its host gene need to be correlated (Mikhaylova et al., 2012¹).

For a more detailed description of the location of TRPM1 and TRPM3 qRT-PCR primers, please refer to Supplementary information.

¹Mikhaylova O, Stratton Y, Hall D, Kellner E, Ehmer B, Drew AF, Gallo CA, Plas DR, Biesiada J, Meller J and Czyzyk- Krzeska MF. VHL-regulated MiR-204 suppresses tumor growth through inhibition of LC3B-mediated autophagy in renal clear cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell. 2012; 21(4):532-546.