MiRNAs in newt lens regeneration: specific control of proliferation and evidence for miRNA networking.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lens regeneration in adult newts occurs via transdifferentiation of the pigment epithelial cells (PECs) of the dorsal iris. The same source of cells from the ventral iris is not able to undergo this process. In an attempt to understand this restriction we have studied in the past expression patterns of miRNAs. Among several miRNAs we have found that mir-148 shows an up-regulation in the ventral iris, while members of the let-7 family showed down-regulation in dorsal iris during dedifferentiation.

Methodology/principal findings

We have performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments of mir-148 and let-7b in an attempt to delineate their function. We find that up-regulation of mir-148 caused significant decrease in the proliferation rates of ventral PECs only, whil

SUBMITTER: Nakamura K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2920319 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature