MicroRNAs are indispensable for reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts into induced stem cell-like cells.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in cellular maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation. They have also been implicated to play a key role in disease pathogenesis, and more recently, cellular reprogramming. Certain microRNA clusters can enhance or even directly induce reprogramming, while repressing key proteins involved in microRNA processing decreases reprogramming efficiency. Although microRNAs clearly play important roles in cellular reprogramming, it remains unknown whether microRNAs are absolutely necessary. We endeavored to answer this fundamental question by attempting to reprogram Dicer-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) that lack almost all functional microRNAs using a defined set of transcription factors. Transduction of reprogramming factors using either lentiviral or pi

SUBMITTER: Kim BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3380844 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature