The Role of RNA Interference in Stem Cell Biology: Beyond the Mutant Phenotypes.

J Mol Biol

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Published: May 2017


Category Ranking

98%

Total Visits

921

Avg Visit Duration

2 minutes

Citations

20

Article Abstract

Complex gene regulation systems ensure the maintenance of cellular identity during early development in mammals. Eukaryotic small RNAs have emerged as critical players in RNA interference (RNAi) by mediating gene silencing during embryonic stem cell self-renewal. Most of the proteins involved in the biogenesis of small RNAs are essential for proliferation and differentiation into the three germ layers of mouse embryonic stem cells. In the last decade, new functions for some RNAi proteins, independent of their roles in RNAi pathways, have been demonstrated in different biological systems. In parallel, new concepts in stem cell biology have emerged. Here, we review and integrate the current understanding of how RNAi proteins regulate stem cell identity with the new advances in the stem cell field and the recent non-canonical functions of the RNAi proteins. Finally, we propose a reevaluation of all RNAi mutant phenotypes, as non-canonical (small non-coding RNA independent) functions may contribute to the molecular mechanisms governing mouse embryonic stem cells commitment.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2017.01.014DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

stem cell
20
embryonic stem
12
rnai proteins
12
rna interference
8
cell biology
8
mutant phenotypes
8
small rnas
8
mouse embryonic
8
stem cells
8
functions rnai
8

Similar Publications

Correction: Therapeutic potential of NGF-enriched extracellular vesicles in modulating neuroinflammation and enhancing peripheral nerve remyelination.

Acta Neuropathol Commun

September 2025

Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, School of Advanced Biotechnology, Molecular & Cellular Reprogramming Center, Institute of Advanced Regenerative Science, and Institute of Health, Aging & Society, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a difficulty in urology and current sub-urethral sling treatments are associated with inflamation and recurrence. In this study, we developed a novel tissue-engineered sling with myogenic induced adiposederived stem cells (MI-ADSCs) sheets induced by 5-Aza and combined with electrospun scaffolds of silk fibroin and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (SF/PLGA) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. MI-ADSCs increased α-SMA, MyoD and Desmin the mRNA and protein expression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

X-Linked Hypophosphatemia: Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 on Human Skeletal Muscle-Derived Cells.

Calcif Tissue Int

September 2025

FirmoLab, Fondazione F.I.R.M.O. Onlus and Stabilimento Chimico Farmaceutico Militare (SCFM), 50141, Florence, Italy.

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare and progressive disease, due to inactivating mutations in the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog X-linked (PHEX) gene. These pathogenic variants result in elevated circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), responsible for the main clinical manifestations of XLH, such as hypophosphatemia, skeletal deformities, and mineralization defects. However, XLH also involves muscular disorders (muscle weakness, pain, reduced muscle density, peak strength, and power).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The global surge in the population of people 60 years and older, including that in China, challenges healthcare systems with rising age-related diseases. To address this demographic change, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) has launched the X-Age Project to develop a comprehensive aging evaluation system tailored to the Chinese population. Our goal is to identify robust biomarkers and construct composite aging clocks that capture biological age, defined as an individual's physiological and molecular state, across diverse Chinese cohorts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

CETN3 deficiency induces microcephaly by disrupting neural stem/progenitor cell fate through impaired centrosome assembly and RNA splicing.

EMBO Mol Med

September 2025

Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai East Hospital, National Stem Cell Translational Resource Center & Ministry of Education Stem Cell Resource Center, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Li

Primary microcephaly, a rare congenital condition characterized by reduced brain size, occurs due to impaired neurogenesis during brain development. Through whole-exome sequencing, we identified compound heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in CENTRIN 3 (CETN3) in a 5-year-old patient with primary microcephaly. As CETN3 has not been previously linked to microcephaly, we investigated its potential function in neurodevelopment in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cerebral organoids.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF