LIN28 lets BLIMP1 take the right course.
The transcription factor BLIMP1 is a master regulator of primordial germ cell (PGC) specification and is suppressed by the microRNA let-7. In a recent issue of Nature, West and colleagues use a unique in vitro ES cell differentiation strategy to show that LIN28 is an essential regulator of PGC formation through inhibition of let-7 maturation and consequential induction of BLIMP1.
Matzuk
Martin M
MM
Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mmatzuk@bcm.edu
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; C462180:Dppa3 protein, mouse; C488352:Lin-28 protein, mouse; D035683:MicroRNAs; C513258:Prdm1 protein, mouse; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C542687:mirnlet7 microRNA, mouse; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1