MicroRNA let-7b regulates neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation by targeting nuclear receptor TLX signaling

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Feb 2;107(5):1876-81. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0908750107. Epub 2010 Jan 19.

Abstract

Neural stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is orchestrated by precise control of gene expression involving nuclear receptor TLX. Let-7b, a member of the let-7 microRNA family, is expressed in mammalian brains and exhibits increased expression during neural differentiation. However, the role of let-7b in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation remains unknown. Here we show that let-7b regulates neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation by targeting the stem cell regulator TLX and the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1. Overexpression of let-7b led to reduced neural stem cell proliferation and increased neural differentiation, whereas antisense knockdown of let-7b resulted in enhanced proliferation of neural stem cells. Moreover, in utero electroporation of let-7b to embryonic mouse brains led to reduced cell cycle progression in neural stem cells. Introducing an expression vector of Tlx or cyclin D1 that lacks the let-7b recognition site rescued let-7b-induced proliferation deficiency, suggesting that both TLX and cyclin D1 are important targets for let-7b-mediated regulation of neural stem cell proliferation. Let-7b, by targeting TLX and cyclin D1, establishes an efficient strategy to control neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism
  • Electroporation
  • Female
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Ccnd1 protein, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nr2e1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, mouse
  • Cyclin D1