title: MicroRNA gene regulatory pathways in the establishment and maintenance of ESC identity.
abstract: Understanding the molecular foundations of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and pluripotency will facilitate therapeutic exploitation of these remarkable cells. Here we discuss the emerging roles of microRNAs in the establishment and maintenance of ESC identity and summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms controlling microRNA expression and function in ESCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Natalia J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Richard I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs