Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell Differentiation
11:06

Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell Differentiation

Published on: September 20, 2017

Role of microRNAs in myeloid differentiation

Alessandro Fatica1, Alessandro Rosa, Monica Ballarino

  • 1Department of Genetics, Institute Pasteur Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. alessandro.fatica@uniroma1.it

Biochemical Society Transactions
|November 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate haemopoiesis, the process of blood cell formation by stem cells. Understanding these molecular networks offers new therapeutic strategies for cancer by controlling cell growth and differentiation.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Haemopoiesis is the continuous production of blood cells from pluripotent self-renewing haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
  • This process is a key model for studying cell differentiation and its alteration in diseases like leukemia.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the influence of miRNAs on myelopoiesis (a specific type of haemopoiesis).
  • To understand the molecular networks controlling the balance between cell proliferation and differentiation.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for cancer based on miRNA functions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of miRNA roles in myelopoiesis.
  • Identification of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for specific miRNAs.
  • Utilizing ectopic miRNA expression and knockdown techniques.
  • Investigating the switch between cell proliferation and differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Specific miRNAs were found to significantly influence myelopoiesis.
  • Identification of target mRNAs elucidated molecular networks governing cell fate.
  • miRNA manipulation demonstrated control over the proliferation-differentiation switch.
  • These findings highlight miRNAs as regulators of cell growth and differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating haemopoiesis and cell fate.
  • Understanding miRNA-target interactions provides insights into the molecular basis of cell growth and differentiation.
  • Modulating miRNA activity presents a promising therapeutic avenue for treating cancers like leukemia by controlling tumorigenesis.

More Related Videos

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes10:48

Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes

Published on: April 12, 2015

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...