The expanding role of miR-302-367 in pluripotency and reprogramming

Cell Cycle. 2012 Apr 15;11(8):1517-23. doi: 10.4161/cc.19846. Epub 2012 Apr 15.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) has been shown to be essential for regulating cell fate and pluripotency; however, our knowledge of miRNA function in stem cells is incomplete due to experimental limitations and difficulties in identifying their physiological targets. Recent studies implicated hESC-expressed miRNAs (miR‑302-367 and miR‑371-373 clusters) in regulating BMP signaling and promoting pluripotency, suggesting that low levels of BMP signaling may promote pluripotency by preventing neural induction. A comprehensive list of miR‑302-367 targets recently identified by genome-wide approaches suggests a number of additional cellular processes and signaling pathways whose regulation by miR‑302-367 may promote pluripotency and reprogramming, such as cell cycle, epigenetic changes, metabolism and vesicular transfer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cellular Reprogramming*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta