ssc‐miR‐204 regulates porcine preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis by targeting TGFBR1 and TGFBR2

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) take part in a variety of biological processes by regulating target genes. Transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) and TGFBR2 are crucial members of the TGF‐β family and are serine/threonine kinase receptors. The aim of this study was to explore the functions of ssc‐miR‐204 in porcine preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis with regard to the TGFβ/Smad pathway. We identified miRNAs predicted to target TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 using a database and selected ssc‐miR‐204 as a candidate miRNA. ssc‐miR‐204 overexpression dramatically reduced the levels of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. However, after transfection with ssc‐miR‐204 inhibitor, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 levels were dramatically increased. ssc‐miR‐204 overexpression dramatically promoted porcine preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis. After transfection with ssc‐miR‐204 inhibitor, porcine preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis were dramatically inhibited. After transfection with ssc‐miR‐204 mimics, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, p‐Smad2, and p‐Smad3 protein levels significantly decreased, and adipogenesis was regulated by inhibiting the TGF‐β/Smad3 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results verified that ssc‐miR‐204 regulates porcine preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis by targeting TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Collectively, our results indicate that ssc‐miR‐204 is a negative regulator that targets transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) and TGFBR2 in the TGF‐β signaling pathway to promote preadipocyte differentiation and apoptosis. A better understanding of ssc‐miR‐204 in the context of preadipocytes will be beneficial for human medical research.