Fig. 5

NORSF reduces E2 release in sow GCs through the miR-339/CYP19A1 axis. a miR-339 induces E2 release in sow GCs via CYP19A1. GCs were co-treated with miR-339 mimics and pcDNA3.1-CYP19A1, E2 concentration in the culture medium was measured by ELISA. n = 3. b-c Correlation analysis between miR-339 levels in sow follicles and E2 concentration in follicular fluid (b), or CYP19A1 mRNA levels in follicles (c). n = 9. d NORSF reduces E2 release in CGs via CYP19A1. n = 3. e–f Correlation analysis between NORSF levels in sow follicles and E2 concentration in follicular fluid (e), or CYP19A1 mRNA levels in follicles (f). n = 12. g miR-339 mediates NORSF reduction of E2 release by GCs. GCs were co-treated with pcDNA3.1-NORSF and miR-339 mimics, E2 concentration in culture medium was measured by ELISA. n = 3. h NORSF suppresses E2 release induced by miR-339 in GCs. GCs were co-treated with miR-339 mimics and pcDNA3.1-NORSF, E2 concentration in culture medium was measured by ELISA. n = 3. i Working model of lncRNA NORSF. As an ceRNA of miR-339, NORSF with low abundance cannot sponge miR-339, the latter binds to CYP19A1 promoter to activate its transcription and induces E2 secretion by GCs through acting as an endogenous saRNA. Values are means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001