MicroRNA miR-378 promotes BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells.
BACKGROUND
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. As such, they are believed to play a role in regulating the step-wise changes in gene expression patterns that occur during cell fate specification of multipotent stem cells. Here, we have studied whether terminal differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts is indeed controlled by lineage-specific changes in miRNA expression.


RESULTS
Using a previously generated RNA polymerase II (Pol-II) ChIP-on-chip dataset, we show differential Pol-II occupancy at the promoter regions of six miRNAs during C2C12 myogenic versus BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation. Overexpression of one of these miRNAs, miR-378, enhances Alp activity, calcium deposition and mRNA expression of osteogenic marker genes in the presence of BMP2.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate a previously unknown role for miR-378 in promoting BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation.
Department of Cell & Applied Biology, Faculty of Science, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS), Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.hupkes@science.ru.nl.
Marlinda
M
Hupkes
Ana M
AM
Sotoca
José M
JM
Hendriks
Everardus J
EJ
van Zoelen
Koen J
KJ
Dechering
D000818:Animals; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012319:RNA Polymerase II