# Musculoskeletal miRNA profiling after exposure to simulated space stressors in mice

**Authors:** Carly Orr, Emma Mackey, Azemat Jamshidi-Parsian, Stephanie Byrum, Rupak Pathak, Robert Griffin, Nathan S. Reyna

PMC · DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001745 · 2025-10-08

## TL;DR

This study finds two microRNAs in mice that are affected by simulated space conditions, possibly influencing genes linked to oxidative stress and cancer.

## Contribution

The study identifies two novel microRNAs (Mir6236 and Mir6240) that are downregulated in skeletal muscle under simulated space stressors.

## Key findings

- Mir6236 and Mir6240 were significantly downregulated in murine skeletal muscle after simulated space conditions.
- These microRNAs may regulate ROS-associated genes like FN1, EZR, TRX2, and MAP2K1.
- Their dysregulation suggests a potential role in tumor progression.

## Abstract

Prolonged spaceflight exposes astronauts to chronic irradiation and microgravity, inducing oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study identified two microRNAs, Mir6236 and Mir6240, that were significantly downregulated in murine skeletal muscle following simulated space conditions. Sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed these microRNAs likely regulate key ROS-associated genes and pathways, including FN1, EZR, TRX2, and MAP2K1. Their dysregulation suggests a role in tumor progression, underscoring the need to further investigate microRNA-mediated gene regulation under space-like conditions to better understand the long-term health risks associated with extended space travel.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** Mir6236 (microRNA 6236) [NCBI Gene 102465959], Mir6240 (microRNA 6240) [NCBI Gene 102466620], FN1 (fibronectin 1) [NCBI Gene 2335], EZR (ezrin) [NCBI Gene 7430], KMT2B (lysine methyltransferase 2B) [NCBI Gene 9757], MAP2K1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 5604]
- **Species:** Mus musculus (taxon 10090)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Mir6236 (microRNA 6236) [NCBI Gene 102465959] {aka Gm27547, mmu-mir-6236}, Txn2 (thioredoxin 2) [NCBI Gene 56551] {aka 2510006J11Rik, Trx2}, Ezr (ezrin) [NCBI Gene 22350] {aka Vil2, p81}, Map2k1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 26395] {aka MAPKK1, MEKK1, Mek1, Prkmk1}, Mir6240 (microRNA 6240) [NCBI Gene 102466620] {aka Gm27850, mmu-mir-6240}, Fn1 (fibronectin 1) [NCBI Gene 14268] {aka E330027I09, Fn, Fn-1}
- **Diseases:** tumor (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** ROS (MESH:D017382)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12547510/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12547510