miRNA let-7e modulates the Wnt pathway and early nephrogenic markers in mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 10;8(4):e60937. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060937. Print 2013.

Abstract

This study indicates that embryonic stem cells [ESCs] cultured with retinoic acid and activin A significantly upregulate the miRNA let-7e. This specific miRNA modulates the Wnt pathway and the expression of early nephrogenic markers under these differentiation conditions. The differentiation markers WT1, Pax2 and Wnt4 were downregulated when miRNA let-7e was silenced, thus indicating the role of miRNA let-7e in the differentiation process. PKCβ, GSK3β phosphorylation (GSK3β(P)) and β-catenin expression was reduced in differentiated cells and reversed by miRNA let-7e silencing. Addition of a PKCβ inhibitor to the miRNA let-7e silenced cells abolished let-7e-derived effects in differentiation markers, and reversed the increase in GSK3β(P) and β-catenin, thus indicating that miRNA let-7e is involved in differentiation via the modulation of GSK3β phosphorylation and β-catenin production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Gene Silencing
  • Kidney / embryology
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs
  • mirnlet7e microRNA, mouse
  • Tretinoin