title: miRNA-17 members that target Bmpr2 influence signaling mechanisms important for embryonic stem cell differentiation in vitro and gastrulation in embryos.
abstract: Body axes and germ layers evolve at gastrulation, and in mammals are driven by many genes; however, what orchestrates the genetic pathways during gastrulation remains elusive. Previously, we presented evidence that microRNA-17 (miRNA-17) family members, miR-17-5p, miR-20a, miR-93, and miR-106a were differentially expressed in mouse embryos and functioned to control differentiation of the stem cell population. Here, we identify function(s) that these miRNAs have during gastrulation. Fluorescent in situ hybridization miRNA probes reveal that these miRNAs are localized at the mid/posterior primitive streak (ps) in distinct populations of primitive ectoderm, mesendoderm, and mesoderm. Seven different miRNA prediction algorithms are identified in silico bone morphogenic protein receptor 2 (Bmpr2) as a target of these miRNAs. Bmpr2 is a member of the TGFβ pathway and invokes stage-specific changes during gastrulation. Recently, Bmpr2 was shown regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell movement, and invasion. Our previous and current data led to a hypothesis by which members of the miR-17 family influence gastrulation by suppressing Bmpr2 expression at the primitive streak. This suppression influences fate decisions of cells by affecting genes downstream of BMPR2 as well as mesoderm invasion through regulation of actin dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center , Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Larabee
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coia
authors.forename: Shiloh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: G Ian
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Gallicano
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D058732:Embryoid Bodies; D047108:Embryonic Development; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004707:Endoderm / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D054262:Gastrulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D054461:Lim Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D054240:Primitive Streak / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D035683:MicroRNAs; C543896:Mirn106 microRNA, mouse; C543614:Mirn17 microRNA, mouse; C532375:Mirn20 microRNA, mouse; C551470:Mirn93 microRNA, mouse; D051785:Smad Proteins; D054461:Lim Kinases; C515893:Limk1 protein, mouse; C498219:Bmpr2 protein, mouse; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II