MicroRNAs in regulation of pluripotency and somatic cell reprogramming: small molecule with big impact.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small non-coding RNAs, have emerged as significant modulators in the establishment and generation of pluripotency, a developmental process that consists of complex cell-fate arrangements. The finding of embryonic stem cell (ESC) cycle-specific miRNAs reveals an important regulation scheme of pluripotency. Subsequent studies showed the ESC-enriched or ESC-depleted miRNAs can regulate induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSC). Moreover, miRNA profiling of iPSC and ESC may distinguish them from one another and facilitate the complex of regulatory network. The accumulative effects of miRNA action enable using miRNA alone to generate iPSCs. Despite the robustness of iPSC studies, further investigations are needed since miRNA may have more impact on induced pluripotency, and the roles of miRNAs in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), another approach toward cellular reprogramming, remains unclear. This point-of-view article will discuss miRNAs and their impact on the normal and induced pluripotency, as well as bring new insights on somatic cell reprogramming.
State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology; School of Basic Medical Sciences; Fudan University; Shanghai, China; Eight-year Medical Program; Zhongshan Hospital; Fudan University; Shanghai, China.
Tian
T
Wang
San-bao
SB
Shi
Hong-ying
HY
Sha
D000818:Animals; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D035683:MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs; embryonic stem cells; induced pluripotent stem cells; pluripotency regulation; regenerative medicine; somatic cell nuclear transfer; somatic cell reprogramming