| First Author | Ma H | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 291 |
| Issue | 23 | Pages | 12126-35 |
| PubMed ID | 27072135 | Mgi Jnum | J:235032 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5792639 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.M116.723247 |
| Citation | Ma H, et al. (2016) MicroRNA-127 Promotes Mesendoderm Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells by Targeting Left-Right Determination Factor 2. J Biol Chem 291(23):12126-35 |
| abstractText | Specification of the three germ layers is a fundamental process and is essential for the establishment of organ rudiments. Multiple genetic and epigenetic factors regulate this dynamic process; however, the function of specific microRNAs in germ layer differentiation remains unknown. In this study, we established that microRNA-127 (miR-127) is related to germ layer specification via microRNA array analysis of isolated three germ layers of E7.5 mouse embryos and was verified through differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. miR-127 is highly expressed in endoderm and primitive streak. Overexpression of miR-127 increases and inhibition of miR-127 decreases the expression of mesendoderm markers. We further show that miR-127 promotes mesendoderm differentiation through the nodal pathway, a determinative signaling pathway in early embryogenesis. Using luciferase reporter assay, left-right determination factor 2 (Lefty2), an antagonist of nodal, is identified to be a novel target of miR-127. Furthermore, the role of miR-127 in mesendoderm differentiation is attenuated by Lefty2 overexpression. Altogether, our results indicate that miR-127 accelerates mesendoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through nodal signaling by targeting Lefty2. |
