# Role of microRNA-21 in the androgen-induced metabolic effects in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR · 2020 · $294,157

## Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-age women. 
PCOS is characterized by oligo- or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and 
polycystic ovaries. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, non-coding RNAs that downregulate the 
expression of specific proteins. Several miRNAs are dysregulated in PCOS women, and a few have been 
implicated in PCOS metabolic manifestations. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is an attractive target because it is one of 
the most upregulated circulating miRNAs in PCOS subjects and experimental animal models of PCOS. miR-21 
is highly expressed and dynamically regulated in multiple tissues important in women and animal models of 
PCOS, including adipose tissue, liver and muscle that have been implicated in the metabolic dysfunction 
observed in PCOS. miR-21 is upregulated by androgens sine the activated androgen receptor directly binds to 
the miR-21 promoter. In addition, the PI3K/PTEN/Akt signaling pathway plays a central role in insulin signaling, 
and PTEN is a miR-21 target gene. In this proposal we will test the hypothesis that in PCOS, elevated circulating 
androgens, via the androgen receptor, upregulate microRNA-21 that targets and downregulates PTEN, causing 
upregulation of Akt activity and dysregulation of insulin intracellular signaling leading to obesity and insulin 
resistance. Moreover, activation of the androgen receptor increases food intake leading to obesity in PCOS 
which causes a positive feedback on insulin resistance”.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10181494
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121334-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Damian Romero
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $294,157
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10181494

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10181494, Role of microRNA-21 in the androgen-induced metabolic effects in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (5P20GM121334-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10181494. Licensed CC0.

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