Do MicroRNAs Preferentially Target the Genes with Low DNA Methylation Level at the Promoter Region?

DNA methylation in genes’ promoter regions and microRNA (miRNA) regulation at the 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) are two major epigenetic regulation mechanisms in majority of eukaryotes. Both DNA methylation of gene’s 5’promoter region and miRNA targeting 3’ UTR can suppress gene expression and play very important roles in regulating many cellular processes. Although the gene silencing role of both promoter methylation regulation and the miRNA targeting have been well investigated, the relationship between them remains largely unknown. In this study, we used human single base-resolution methylome data of two cell lines to investigate the relationship between them. Our preliminary results suggested that there is a functional complementation between transcriptional promoter methylation and post-transcriptional miRNA regulation, suggesting a possible combined regulation system in the cellular system.