title: The RNA-methyltransferase Misu (NSun2) poises epidermal stem cells to differentiate.
abstract: Homeostasis of most adult tissues is maintained by balancing stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, but whether post-transcriptional mechanisms can regulate this process is unknown. Here, we identify that an RNA methyltransferase (Misu/Nsun2) is required to balance stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in skin. In the epidermis, this methyltransferase is found in a defined sub-population of hair follicle stem cells poised to undergo lineage commitment, and its depletion results in enhanced quiescence and aberrant stem cell differentiation. Our results reveal that post-transcriptional RNA methylation can play a previously unappreciated role in controlling stem cell fate.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurowski
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: Salvador Aznar
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Benitah
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C497574:Lef1 protein, mouse; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D051176:beta Catenin; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D008780:Methyltransferases; C513146:Misu protein, mouse