Cell Cycle Regulation of Stem Cells by MicroRNAs

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression. They are involved in the fine-tuning of fundamental biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis in many cell types. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs regulate critical pathways involved in stem cell function. Several miRNAs have been suggested to target transcripts that directly or indirectly coordinate the cell cycle progression of stem cells. Moreover, previous studies have shown that altered expression levels of miRNAs can contribute to pathological conditions, such as cancer, due to the loss of cell cycle regulation. However, the precise mechanism underlying miRNA-mediated regulation of cell cycle in stem cells is still incompletely understood. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of miRNAs regulatory role in cell cycle progression of stem cells. We describe how specific miRNAs may control cell cycle associated molecules and checkpoints in embryonic, somatic and cancer stem cells. We further outline how these miRNAs could be regulated to influence cell cycle progression in stem cells as a potential clinical application.

MiR‐873 inhibition enhances gefitinib resistance in non‐small cell lung cancer cells by targeting glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1

“…In the human genome, miRNAs regulate protein encoding genes at a rate of approximately 1:3, controlling cell apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, individual development and tumorigenesis, and drug resistance . Target gene expression is regulated by two mechanisms: (i) binding to the untranslated region (3'UTR) of the target messenger RNA (mRNA) 3' end, inhibiting its translation; and (ii) like small interfering RNA (siRNA), miRNA binds to the target and degrades target mRNA . Recent studies have found that miRNAs regulate drug resistance by mediating their targeting genes in various cancers .…”

“…[14][15][16] Target gene expression is regulated by two mechanisms: (i) binding to the untranslated region (3'UTR) of the target messenger RNA (mRNA) 3' end, inhibiting its translation; and (ii) like small interfering RNA (siRNA), miRNA binds to the target and degrades target mRNA. [17][18][19] Recent studies have found that miRNAs regulate drug resistance by mediating their targeting genes in various cancers. [20][21][22][23][24] In recent years, abnormal expression of miR-873 has been found in many kinds of tumors, such as breast and ovarian cancers, and glioma.…”

miR-92a-3p controls cell cycle progression in zebrafish

“…In mammalian embryonic stem cells, the conserved miR-17-92 cluster supports cellular reprogramming through inhibiting regulatory elements of the G1 phase and G1/S checkpoint. At the G2/M checkpoint, however, the only miRNA with known functionality is miR-195, which suppresses Wee1 transcripts (Mens and Ghanbari 2018).…”

Role of cancer stem cells in the development of giant cell tumor of bone

“…Moderate or comprehensive binding of miRNAs to the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of their target mRNAs actually represents their function in which these molecules block the translation or degrade the mRNA [64]. 114], [126,129], [141,142] osteoclastogenesis [64]. Recent reports show that miR-NAs are usually needed in the process of osteoclastogenesis, which helps the researchers to understand the blockage of V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MAFB) and RANK expression by ectopic expression of miR-148a and miR-503, which in turn leads to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.…”