{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: miR-499 protects cardiomyocytes from H 2O 2-induced apoptosis via its effects on Pdcd4 and Pacs2. {Author}: Wang J;Jia Z;Zhang C;Sun M;Wang W;Chen P;Ma K;Zhang Y;Li X;Zhou C; {Journal}: RNA Biol {Volume}: 11 {Issue}: 4 {Year}: 2014 {Factor}: 4.766 {DOI}: 10.4161/rna.28300 {Abstract}: Background microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding endogenous RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate some protein-coding genes. miRNAs play an important role in many cardiac pathophysiological processes, including myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure. miR-499, specifically expressed in skeletal muscle and cardiac cells, is differentially regulated and functions in heart development. However, the function of miR-499 in mature heart is poorly understood. Results We report that cardiac-abundant miR-499 could protect neonatal rat cardiomyocytes against H 2O 2-induced apoptosis. Increased miR-499 level favored survival, while decreased miR-499 level favored apoptosis. We identified three proapoptotic protein-coding genes-Pdcd4, Pacs2, and Dyrk2-as targets of miR-499. miR-499 inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis through its suppressive effect on Pdcd4 and Pacs2 expression, thereby blocking Bid expression and BID mitochondrial translocation. We also found that H 2O 2-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun transcriptionally upregulated miR-499 expression via binding of phosphorylated c-Jun to the Myh7b promoter. Conclusions Our results revealed that miR-499 played an inhibiting role in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and had protective effects against H 2O 2-induced injury in cardiomyocytes.