Novel microRNA candidates and miRNA-mRNA pairs in embryonic stem (ES) cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

MicroRNAS (miRNAS: a class of short non-coding RNAs) are emerging as important agents of post transcriptional gene regulation and integral components of gene networks. MiRNAs have been strongly linked to stem cells, which have a remarkable dual role in development. They can either continuously replenish themselves (self-renewal), or differentiate into cells that execute a limited number of specific actions (pluripotence).

Methodology/principal findings

In order to identify novel miRNAs from narrow windows of development we carried out an in silico search for micro-conserved elements (MCE) in adult tissue progenitor transcript sequences. A plethora of previously unknown miRNA candidates were revealed including 545 small RNAs that are enriched in embryonic stem (ES)

SUBMITTER: Gu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2481296 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature