Emerging roles of microRNAs in the control of embryonic stem cells and the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells

摘要: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression. These small, non-coding RNAs are believed to regulate more than a third all protein coding genes, and they been implicated in the control virtually biological processes, including biology stem cells. The essential roles miRNAs pluripotent cells were clearly established by finding that embryonic (ES) lacking proteins required for miRNA biogenesis exhibit defects proliferation differentiation. Subsequently, function numerous has shown fate ES directly influence regulatory networks controlled pluripotency factors Sox2, Oct4, Nanog. Moreover, growing list tissue-specific miRNAs, which silenced or not processed fully cells, found promote differentiation upon their expression proper processing. importance is further indicated exciting discovery specific mimics inhibitors reprogramming somatic into induced (iPS) Although some progress made during past two years our understanding contribution reprogramming, needed since it highly likely play even wider generation iPS currently appreciated. This review examines recent developments related In addition, we posit dozen additional excellent candidates influencing well providing new insights process reprogramming.