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Biondic S, Petropoulos S. Evidence for Functional Roles of MicroRNAs in Lineage Specification During Mouse and Human Preimplantation Development. Yale J Biol Med 2023; 96:481-494. [PMID: 38161584 PMCID: PMC10751869 DOI: 10.59249/fosi4358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Proper formation of the blastocyst, including the specification of the first embryonic cellular lineages, is required to ensure healthy embryo development and can significantly impact the success of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). However, the regulatory role of microRNAs in early development, particularly in the context of preimplantation lineage specification, remains largely unknown. Taking a cross-species approach, this review aims to summarize the expression dynamics and functional significance of microRNAs in the differentiation and maintenance of lineage identity in both the mouse and the human. Findings are consolidated from studies conducted using in vitro embryonic stem cell models representing the epiblast, trophectoderm, and primitive endoderm lineages (modeled by naïve embryonic stem cells, trophoblast stem cells, and extraembryonic endoderm stem cells, respectively) to provide insight on what may be occurring in the embryo. Additionally, studies directly conducted in both mouse and human embryos are discussed, emphasizing similarities to the stem cell models and the gaps in our understanding, which will hopefully lead to further investigation of these areas. By unraveling the intricate mechanisms by which microRNAs regulate the specification and maintenance of cellular lineages in the blastocyst, we can leverage this knowledge to further optimize stem cell-based models such as the blastoids, enhance embryo competence, and develop methods of non-invasive embryo selection, which can potentially increase the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies and improve the experiences of those receiving fertility treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savana Biondic
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de
l’Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program,
Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Sophie Petropoulos
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de
l’Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology Program,
Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of
Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm,
Sweden
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2
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Reid KM, Sanchez-Nieto JM, Terrasse S, Faccenda D, Pernaute B, Campanella M, Rodriguez TA, Cobb BS. MicroRNAs Regulate Ca 2+ Homeostasis in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1957. [PMID: 37566036 PMCID: PMC10417630 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of embryonic stem cell (ESC) biology, and their study has identified key regulatory mechanisms. To find novel pathways regulated by miRNAs in ESCs, we undertook a bioinformatics analysis of gene pathways differently expressed in the absence of miRNAs due to the deletion of Dicer, which encodes an RNase that is essential for the synthesis of miRNAs. One pathway that stood out was Ca2+ signaling. Interestingly, we found that Dicer-/- ESCs had no difference in basal cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels but were hyperresponsive when Ca2+ import into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was blocked by thapsigargin. Remarkably, the increased Ca2+ response to thapsigargin in ESCs resulted in almost no increase in apoptosis and no differences in stress response pathways, despite the importance of miRNAs in the stress response of other cell types. The increased Ca2+ response in Dicer-/- ESCs was also observed during purinergic receptor activation, demonstrating a physiological role for the miRNA regulation of Ca2+ signaling pathways. In examining the mechanism of increased Ca2+ responsiveness to thapsigargin, neither store-operated Ca2+ entry nor Ca2+ clearance mechanisms from the cytoplasm appeared to be involved. Rather, it appeared to involve an increase in the expression of one isoform of the IP3 receptors (Itpr2). miRNA regulation of Itpr2 expression primarily appeared to be indirect, with transcriptional regulation playing a major role. Therefore, the miRNA regulation of Itpr2 expression offers a unique mechanism to regulate Ca2+ signaling pathways in the physiology of pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley M. Reid
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, 4 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (K.M.R.)
| | - Juan Miguel Sanchez-Nieto
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK (T.A.R.)
| | - Sandra Terrasse
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, 4 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (K.M.R.)
| | - Danilo Faccenda
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK;
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Barbara Pernaute
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK (T.A.R.)
| | - Michelangelo Campanella
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
- University College London Consortium for Mitochondrial Research, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Institute Gustave Roussy, 94800 Villejuif, France
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
| | - Tristan A. Rodriguez
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK (T.A.R.)
| | - Bradley S. Cobb
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, 4 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK; (K.M.R.)
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Maraghechi P, Aponte MTS, Ecker A, Lázár B, Tóth R, Szabadi NT, Gócza E. Pluripotency-Associated microRNAs in Early Vertebrate Embryos and Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1434. [PMID: 37510338 PMCID: PMC10379376 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, regulate a wide range of critical biological processes, such as proliferation, cell cycle progression, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis, in many cell types. The regulatory functions of miRNAs in embryogenesis and stem cell properties have been extensively investigated since the early years of miRNA discovery. In this review, we will compare and discuss the impact of stem-cell-specific miRNA clusters on the maintenance and regulation of early embryonic development, pluripotency, and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, particularly in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouneh Maraghechi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Maria Teresa Salinas Aponte
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - András Ecker
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Bence Lázár
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
- National Centre for Biodiversity and Gene Conservation, Institute for Farm Animal Gene Conservation (NBGK-HGI), Isaszegi str. 200, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Roland Tóth
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Tokodyné Szabadi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Elen Gócza
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Szent-Györgyi Albert str. 4, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
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Müller M, Schaefer M, Fäh T, Spies D, Hermes V, Ngondo RP, Peña-Hernández R, Santoro R, Ciaudo C. Argonaute proteins regulate a specific network of genes through KLF4 in mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1070-1080. [PMID: 35452597 PMCID: PMC9133645 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The Argonaute proteins (AGOs) are well known for their role in post-transcriptional gene silencing in the microRNA (miRNA) pathway. Here we show that in mouse embryonic stem cells, AGO1&2 serve additional functions that go beyond the miRNA pathway. Through the combined deletion of both Agos, we identified a specific set of genes that are uniquely regulated by AGOs but not by the other miRNA biogenesis factors. Deletion of Ago2&1 caused a global reduction of the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 due to downregulation at protein levels of Polycomb repressive complex 2 components. By integrating chromatin accessibility, prediction of transcription factor binding sites, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data, we identified the pluripotency factor KLF4 as a key modulator of AGO1&2-regulated genes. Our findings revealed a novel axis of gene regulation that is mediated by noncanonical functions of AGO proteins that affect chromatin states and gene expression using mechanisms outside the miRNA pathway. AGO1&2 regulate a specific set of genes in mESCs, independently of the miRNA pathway PRC2 proteins are downregulated in Ago2&1_KO mESCs, leading to H3K27me3 global loss AGO1&2 regulate gene expression through the pluripotency factor KLF4
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlen Müller
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland; Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Schaefer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland; Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tara Fäh
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Spies
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Victoria Hermes
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Richard Patryk Ngondo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo Peña-Hernández
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raffaella Santoro
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Constance Ciaudo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Li X, Liu Y, Mu Q, Tian J, Yu H. MiR-290 family maintains developmental potential by targeting p21 in mouse pre-implantation embryos. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:425-440. [PMID: 34907414 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The miR-290 family is a mouse-specific microRNA cluster, which maintains mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) pluripotency by increasing OCT3/4 and C-MYC expression. However, its functions in mouse pre-implantation embryos remain unclear, especially during zygotic genome activation (ZGA). In this study, miR-290 family expression increased from the two-cell embryo stage through the blastocyst stage. Inhibition of miR-294-3p/5p did not affect ZGA initiation or embryo development, whereas pri-miR-290 knockdown decreased ZGA gene expression and slowed embryonic development. In addition, pluripotency decreased in ESCs derived from pri-miR-290 knockdown blastocysts. To clarify the mechanism of action, 33 candidate miR-294-3p target genes were screened from three databases, and miR-294-3p directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region of Cdkn1a (p21) mRNA. Similar to pri-miR-290 knockdown, P21 overexpression impeded embryonic development, whereas simultaneous overexpression of P21 and pri-miR-290 partially rescued embryonic development. The results indicate that the miR-290 family participates in promoting ZGA process and maintaining developmental potency in embryos by targeting p21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (RRBGL), Inner Mongolia University, 010070 Hohhot, China
| | - Yueshi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (RRBGL), Inner Mongolia University, 010070 Hohhot, China
| | - Qier Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (RRBGL), Inner Mongolia University, 010070 Hohhot, China
| | - Junliang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (RRBGL), Inner Mongolia University, 010070 Hohhot, China
| | - Haiquan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock (RRBGL), Inner Mongolia University, 010070 Hohhot, China
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6
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Wang SH, Zhang C, Wang Y. microRNA regulation of pluripotent state transition. Essays Biochem 2020; 64:947-54. [PMID: 33034348 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20200028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and early embryo development. The exact mechanism by which miRNAs regulate cell fate transition during embryo development is still not clear. Recent studies have identified and captured various pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that share similar characteristics with cells from different stages of pre- and post-implantation embryos. These PSCs provide valuable models to understand miRNA functions in early mammalian development. In this short review, we will summarize recent work towards understanding the function and mechanism of miRNAs in regulating the transition or conversion between different pluripotent states. In addition, we will highlight unresolved questions and key future directions related to miRNAs in pluripotent state transition. Studies in these areas will further our understanding of miRNA functions in early embryo development, and may lead to practical means to control human PSCs for clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
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Hawke DC, Ahmed DB, Watson AJ, Betts DH. Murine Blastocysts Release Mature MicroRNAs Into Culture Media That Reflect Developmental Status. Front Genet 2021; 12:655882. [PMID: 34122510 PMCID: PMC8193861 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.655882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular microRNA (miRNA) sequences derived from the pre-implantation embryo have attracted interest for their possible contributions to the ongoing embryonic-uterine milieu, as well as their potential for use as accessible biomarkers indicative of embryonic health. Spent culture media microdroplets used to culture late-stage E4.0 murine blastocysts were screened for 641 mature miRNA sequences using a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based array. We report here 39 miRNAs exclusively detected in the conditioned media, including the implantation-relevant miR-126a-3p, miR-101a, miR-143, and miR-320, in addition to members of the highly expressed embryonic miR-125 and miR-290 families. Based on these results, an miRNA panel was assembled comprising five members of the miR-290 family (miR-291-295) and five conserved sequences with significance to the embryonic secretome (miR-20a, miR-30c, miR-142-3p, miR-191, and miR-320). Panel profiling of developing embryo cohort lysates and accompanying conditioned media microdroplets revealed extensive similarities in relative quantities of miRNAs and, as a biomarker proof of concept, enabled distinction between media conditioned with differently staged embryos (zygote, 4-cell, and blastocyst). When used to assess media conditioned with embryos of varying degrees of degeneration, the panel revealed increases in all extracellular panel sequences, suggesting cell death is an influential and identifiable factor detectable by this assessment. In situ hybridization of three panel sequences (miR-30c, miR-294, and miR-295) in late-stage blastocysts revealed primarily inner cell mass expression with a significant presence of miR-294 throughout the blastocyst cavity. Furthermore, extracellular miR-290 sequences responded significantly to high centrifugal force, suggesting a substantial fraction of these sequences may exist within a vesicle such as an exosome, microvesicle, or apoptotic bleb. Together, these results support the use of extracellular miRNA to assess embryonic health and enable development of a non-invasive viability diagnostic tool for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Connor Hawke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute-LHRI, London, ON, Canada
| | - Danyal Baber Ahmed
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute-LHRI, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew John Watson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute-LHRI, London, ON, Canada
| | - Dean Harvey Betts
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute-LHRI, London, ON, Canada
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8
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Biasini A, Abdulkarim B, de Pretis S, Tan JY, Arora R, Wischnewski H, Dreos R, Pelizzola M, Ciaudo C, Marques AC. Translation is required for miRNA-dependent decay of endogenous transcripts. EMBO J 2021; 40:e104569. [PMID: 33300180 PMCID: PMC7849302 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020104569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional repression of gene expression by miRNAs occurs through transcript destabilization or translation inhibition. mRNA decay is known to account for most miRNA-dependent repression. However, because transcript decay occurs co-translationally, whether target translation is a requirement for miRNA-dependent transcript destabilization remains unknown. To decouple these two molecular processes, we used cytosolic long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as models for endogenous transcripts that are not translated. We show that, despite interacting with the miRNA-loaded RNA-induced silencing complex, the steady-state abundance and decay rates of these transcripts are minimally affected by miRNA loss. To further validate the apparent requirement of translation for miRNA-dependent decay, we fused two lncRNA candidates to the 3'-end of a protein-coding gene reporter and found this results in their miRNA-dependent destabilization. Further analysis revealed that the few natural lncRNAs whose levels are regulated by miRNAs in mESCs tend to associate with translating ribosomes, and possibly represent misannotated micropeptides, further substantiating the necessity of target translation for miRNA-dependent transcript decay. In summary, our analyses suggest that translation is required for miRNA-dependent transcript destabilization, and demonstrate that the levels of coding and noncoding transcripts are differently affected by miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Biasini
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Baroj Abdulkarim
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefano de Pretis
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milano, Italy
| | - Jennifer Y Tan
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rajika Arora
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Rene Dreos
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Pelizzola
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milano, Italy
| | - Constance Ciaudo
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Claudia Marques
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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9
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Divisato G, Passaro F, Russo T, Parisi S. The Key Role of MicroRNAs in Self-Renewal and Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6285. [PMID: 32877989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Naïve pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) represent distinctive developmental stages, mimicking the pre- and the post-implantation events during the embryo development, respectively. The complex molecular mechanisms governing the transition from ESCs into EpiSCs are orchestrated by fluctuating levels of pluripotency transcription factors (Nanog, Oct4, etc.) and wide-ranging remodeling of the epigenetic landscape. Recent studies highlighted the pivotal role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in balancing the switch from self-renewal to differentiation of ESCs. Of note, evidence deriving from miRNA-based reprogramming strategies underscores the role of the non-coding RNAs in the induction and maintenance of the stemness properties. In this review, we revised recent studies concerning the functions mediated by miRNAs in ESCs, with the aim of giving a comprehensive view of the highly dynamic miRNA-mediated tuning, essential to guarantee cell cycle progression, pluripotency maintenance and the proper commitment of ESCs.
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10
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Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a chromatin binding complex that represses gene expression by methylating histone H3 at K27 to establish repressed chromatin domains. PRC2 can either regulate genes directly through the methyltransferase activity of its component EZH2 or indirectly by regulating other gene regulators. Gene expression analysis of glioblastoma (GBM) cells lacking EZH2 showed that PRC2 regulates hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). We found that PRC2 directly represses several ISGs and also indirectly activates a distinct set of ISGs. Assessment of EZH2 binding proximal to miRNAs showed that PRC2 directly represses miRNAs encoded in the chromosome 14 imprinted DLK1-DIO3 locus. We found that repression of this locus by PRC2 occurs in immortalized GBM-derived cell lines as well as in primary bulk tumors from GBM and anaplastic astrocytoma patients. Through repression of these miRNAs and several other miRNAs, PRC2 activates a set of ISGs that are targeted by these miRNAs. This PRC2-miRNA-ISG network is likely to be important in regulating gene expression programs in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haridha Shivram
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven V. Le
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vishwanath R. Iyer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Preston CC, Storm EC, Burdine RD, Bradley TA, Uttecht AD, Faustino RS. Nucleoporin insufficiency disrupts a pluripotent regulatory circuit in a pro-arrhythmogenic stem cell line. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12691. [PMID: 31481660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49147-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoporins have been reported to regulate pluripotent biology, but how they do so remains partially characterized. This study examined the effects of nup155 gene disruption on mouse embryonic stem cells to gain insights into possible mechanisms by which nucleoporins regulate pluripotency in a pro-arrhythmogenic stem cell line. Embryonic stem cells with gene-trapped nup155 exhibited aberrant colony morphology underscored by abnormal transcriptome remodeling. Bioinformatic analysis of whole transcriptome data from nup155+/- embryonic stem cells revealed changes in a variety of non-coding RNA elements, with significant under expression of miR291a, miR291b, miR293, and miR294. These miRNAs are members of the larger regulatory miR290-295 cluster that regulates pluripotency and are controlled by the canonical stem cell-related factors SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG. Expression analysis of these factors revealed downregulation in all three, supported by biochemical profiling and image analysis. These data implicate disruption of the miR-SOX2/OCT4/NANOG regulatory circuit occurs downstream of nup155 gene lesion.
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12
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Bonath F, Domingo-Prim J, Tarbier M, Friedländer MR, Visa N. Next-generation sequencing reveals two populations of damage-induced small RNAs at endogenous DNA double-strand breaks. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:11869-11882. [PMID: 30418607 PMCID: PMC6294500 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that transcription takes place at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), that transcripts at DSBs are processed by Drosha and Dicer into damage-induced small RNAs (diRNAs), and that diRNAs are required for DNA repair. However, diRNAs have been mostly detected in reporter constructs or repetitive sequences, and their existence at endogenous loci has been questioned by recent reports. Using the homing endonuclease I-PpoI, we have investigated diRNA production in genetically unperturbed human and mouse cells. I-PpoI is an ideal tool to clarify the requirements for diRNA production because it induces DSBs in different types of loci: the repetitive 28S locus, unique genes and intergenic loci. We show by extensive sequencing that the rDNA locus produces substantial levels of diRNAs, whereas unique genic and intergenic loci do not. Further characterization of diRNAs emerging from the 28S locus reveals the existence of two diRNA subtypes. Surprisingly, Drosha and its partner DGCR8 are dispensable for diRNA production and only one diRNAs subtype depends on Dicer processing. Furthermore, we provide evidence that diRNAs are incorporated into Argonaute. Our findings provide direct evidence for diRNA production at endogenous loci in mammalian cells and give insights into RNA processing at DSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Bonath
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judit Domingo-Prim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcel Tarbier
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marc R Friedländer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Neus Visa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Shivram H, Le SV, Iyer VR. MicroRNAs reinforce repression of PRC2 transcriptional targets independently and through a feed-forward regulatory network. Genome Res 2019; 29:184-192. [PMID: 30651280 PMCID: PMC6360819 DOI: 10.1101/gr.238311.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression can be regulated at multiple levels, but it is not known if and how there is broad coordination between regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Transcription factors and chromatin regulate gene expression transcriptionally, whereas microRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that function post-transcriptionally. Systematically identifying the post-transcriptional targets of miRNAs and the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of the same targets can shed light on regulatory networks connecting transcriptional and post-transcriptional control. We used individual-nucleotide resolution UV crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) for the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) component AGO2 and global miRNA depletion to identify genes directly targeted by miRNAs. We found that Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and its associated histone mark, H3K27me3, is enriched at hundreds of miRNA-repressed genes. We show that these genes are directly repressed by PRC2 and constitute a significant proportion of direct PRC2 targets. For just over half of the genes corepressed by PRC2 and miRNAs, PRC2 promotes their miRNA-mediated repression by increasing expression of the miRNAs that are likely to target them. miRNAs also repress the remainder of the PRC2 target genes, but independently of PRC2. Thus, miRNAs post-transcriptionally reinforce silencing of PRC2-repressed genes that are inefficiently repressed at the level of chromatin, by either forming a feed-forward regulatory network with PRC2 or repressing them independently of PRC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haridha Shivram
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Steven V Le
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Vishwanath R Iyer
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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14
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Wu DR, Gu KL, Yu JC, Fu X, Wang XW, Guo WT, Liao LQ, Zhu H, Zhang XS, Hui J, Wang Y. Opposing roles of miR-294 and MBNL1/2 in shaping the gene regulatory network of embryonic stem cells. EMBO Rep 2018; 19:embr.201745657. [PMID: 29735517 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201745657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing plays important roles in regulating self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, how specific alternative splicing programs are established in ESCs remains elusive. Here, we show that a subset of alternative splicing events in ESCs is dependent on miR-294 expression. Remarkably, roughly 60% of these splicing events are affected by the depletion of Muscleblind-Like Splicing Regulator 1 and 2 (Mbnl1/2). Distinct from canonical miRNA function, miR-294 represses Mbnl1/2 through both posttranscriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, we uncover non-canonical functions of MBNL proteins that bind and promote the expression of miR-294 targets, including Cdkn1a and Tgfbr2, thereby opposing the role of miR-294 in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our study reveals extensive interactions between miRNAs and splicing factors, highlighting their roles in regulating cell type-specific alternative splicing and defining gene expression programs during development and cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Ren Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Li Gu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Fu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-Wen Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Ting Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Le-Qi Liao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyi Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangming Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
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15
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Kanellopoulou C, Muljo SA. Posttranscriptional (Re)programming of Cell Fate: Examples in Stem Cells, Progenitor, and Differentiated Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:715. [PMID: 29686685 PMCID: PMC5900001 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
How a single genome can give rise to many different transcriptomes and thus all the different cell lineages in the human body is a fundamental question in biology. While signaling pathways, transcription factors, and chromatin architecture, to name a few determinants, have been established to play critical roles, recently, there is a growing appreciation of the roles of non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins in controlling cell fates posttranscriptionally. Thus, it is vital that these emerging players are also integrated into models of gene regulatory networks that underlie programs of cellular differentiation. Sometimes, we can leverage knowledge about such posttranscriptional circuits to reprogram patterns of gene expression in meaningful ways. Here, we review three examples from our work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysi Kanellopoulou
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Stefan A Muljo
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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16
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Moradi S, Sharifi-Zarchi A, Ahmadi A, Mollamohammadi S, Stubenvoll A, Günther S, Salekdeh GH, Asgari S, Braun T, Baharvand H. Small RNA Sequencing Reveals Dlk1-Dio3 Locus-Embedded MicroRNAs as Major Drivers of Ground-State Pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:2081-2096. [PMID: 29129685 PMCID: PMC5785679 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ground-state pluripotency is a cell state in which pluripotency is established and maintained through efficient repression of endogenous differentiation pathways. Self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are influenced by ESC-associated microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the “miRNome” of ESCs cultured under conditions favoring ground-state pluripotency. We found that ground-state ESCs express a distinct set of miRNAs compared with ESCs grown in serum. Interestingly, most “ground-state miRNAs” are encoded by an imprinted region on chromosome 12 within the Dlk1-Dio3 locus. Functional analysis revealed that ground-state miRNAs embedded in the Dlk1-Dio3 locus (miR-541-5p, miR-410-3p, and miR-381-3p) promoted pluripotency via inhibition of multi-lineage differentiation and stimulation of self-renewal. Overall, our results demonstrate that ground-state pluripotency is associated with a unique miRNA signature, which supports ground-state self-renewal by suppressing differentiation. Ground-state pluripotency is associated with a unique miRNA signature Dlk1-Dio3 locus on 12qF1 encodes the majority of ground-state miRNAs Dlk1-Dio3 locus is hypomethylated in ground-state ESCs Ground-state miRNAs promote ESC self-renewal and inhibit differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Sharifi-Zarchi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; Computer Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Ahmadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mollamohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Alexander Stubenvoll
- Max-Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Max-Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas Braun
- Max-Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Banihashem Square, Banihashem Street, Ressalat Highway, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Yuan K, Ai WB, Wan LY, Tan X, Wu JF. The miR-290-295 cluster as multi-faceted players in mouse embryonic stem cells. Cell Biosci 2017; 7:38. [PMID: 28794853 PMCID: PMC5547456 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0166-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that embryonic stem cell specific microRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the early development of embryo. Among them, the miR-290-295 cluster is the most highly expressed in the mouse embryonic stem cells and involved in various biological processes. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress of the function of the miR-290-295 cluster in embryonic stem cells. The miR-290-295 cluster is involved in regulating embryonic stem cell pluripotency maintenance, self-renewal, and reprogramming somatic cells to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Moreover, the miR-290-295 cluster has a latent pro-survival function in embryonic stem cells and involved in tumourigenesis and senescence with a great significance. Elucidating the interaction between the miR-290-295 cluster and other modes of gene regulation will provide us new ideas on the biology of pluripotent stem cells. In the near future, the broad prospects of the miRNA cluster will be shown in the stem cell field, such as altering cell identities with high efficiency through the transient introduction of tissue-specific miRNA cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yuan
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, 8 Daxue Road, Xiling District, Yichang, 443002 China
| | - Wen-Bing Ai
- The Yiling Hospital of Yichang, 31 Donghu Road, Yi Ling District, Yichang, 443100 Hubei China
| | - Lin-Yan Wan
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, 8 Daxue Road, Xiling District, Yichang, 443002 China.,The RenMin Hospital, China Three Gorges University, 31 Huti Subdistrict, Xi Ling District, Yichang, 443000 Hubei China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, 8 Daxue Road, Xiling District, Yichang, 443002 China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, 8 Daxue Road, Xiling District, Yichang, 443002 China
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18
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Hao J, Duan FF, Wang Y. MicroRNAs and RNA binding protein regulators of microRNAs in the control of pluripotency and reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 46:95-103. [PMID: 28753462 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional and translational regulations play essential roles during cellular reprogramming and in the maintenance and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control cell cycle, glycolysis, chromatin state, survival and pluripotency of ESCs. Likewise, many miRNAs assist or act as a barrier for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Recent studies also reveal exciting new directions on miRNA functions in regulating the switch between naive and primed pluripotent states as well as the establishment of totipotent-like state. Furthermore, the biogenesis and function of pluripotency related miRNAs are regulated by various RNA binding proteins (RBPs) at different levels. Revealing the interplay between RBPs and miRNAs will advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling pluripotency and provide better means to manipulate PSCs for clinical applications. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the function of miRNAs in ESCs and during reprogramming. In addition, we also discuss new directions on miRNA functions in regulating the switch between different pluripotent states and RBP-mediated regulation of miRNA biogenesis and function in pluripotency control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardio Metabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei-Fei Duan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardio Metabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yangming Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardio Metabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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19
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Abstract
The formation of tissues and organs during metazoan development begs fundamental questions of cellular plasticity: How can the very same genome program have diverse cell types? How do cell identity programs unfold during development in space and time? How can defects in these mechanisms cause disease and also provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention? And ultimately, can developmental programs be exploited for bioengineering tissues and organs? Understanding principle designs of cellular identity and developmental progression is crucial for providing answers. Here, I will discuss how the capture of embryonic pluripotency in murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro has allowed fundamental insights into the molecular underpinnings of a developmental cell state and how its ordered disassembly during differentiation prepares for lineage specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Betschinger
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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20
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Bayarsaihan D. Deciphering the Epigenetic Code in Embryonic and Dental Pulp Stem Cells. Yale J Biol Med 2016; 89:539-563. [PMID: 28018144 PMCID: PMC5168831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A close cooperation between chromatin states, transcriptional modulation, and epigenetic modifications is required for establishing appropriate regulatory circuits underlying self-renewal and differentiation of adult and embryonic stem cells. A growing body of research has established that the epigenome topology provides a structural framework for engaging genes in the non-random chromosomal interactions to orchestrate complex processes such as cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion and cell migration during lineage commitment. Over the past few years, the functional dissection of the epigenetic landscape has become increasingly important for understanding gene expression dynamics in stem cells naturally found in most tissues. Adult stem cells of the human dental pulp hold great promise for tissue engineering, particularly in the skeletal and tooth regenerative medicine. It is therefore likely that progress towards pulp regeneration will have a substantial impact on the clinical research. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding epigenetic cues that have evolved to regulate the pluripotent differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells and the lineage determination of developing dental pulp progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Institute for System Genomics and Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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