Over-expression of microRNA-494 up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression via PI3K/Akt pathway and protects against hypoxia-induced apoptosis

Background Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one of the key regulators of hypoxia/ischemia. MicroRNA-494 (miR-494) had cardioprotective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury, but its functional relationship with HIF-1α was unknown. This study was undertaken to determine if miR-494 was involved in the induction of HIF-1α.