Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos
08:37

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

Published on: October 9, 2020

miR-17 family miRNAs are expressed during early mammalian development and regulate stem cell differentiation

Kara M Foshay1, G Ian Gallicano

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.

Developmental Biology
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and are vital for embryonic development. This study shows miR-17 family members control stem cell differentiation by targeting STAT3 mRNA.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating protein expression post-transcriptionally.
  • Dicer enzyme processes miRNAs, essential for embryonic development and cellular differentiation.
  • Limited data exists on individual miRNA functions due to technical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the functional significance of miR-17 family members in mouse embryonic development.
  • Determine the role of these miRNAs in stem cell differentiation.
  • Identify target mRNAs regulated by the miR-17 family.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of miRNA expression patterns in developing mouse embryos.
  • Utilizing a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell model to study miRNA function.
  • In vitro assays to assess miRNA regulation of target mRNAs, including STAT3.

Main Results:

  • miR-17 family members (miR-17-5p, miR-20a, miR-93, miR-106a) show differential expression during mouse embryogenesis.
  • Modulating these miRNAs in ES cells affects differentiation into germ layers.
  • miR-93 localizes to specific embryonic tissues (primitive endoderm, trophectoderm).
  • These miRNAs were shown to regulate STAT3 mRNA in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • The miR-17 family plays a crucial role in controlling stem cell differentiation during embryonic development.
  • STAT3 is identified as a potential target mRNA mediating the observed differentiation effects.
  • Further research into miRNA-mediated regulation of developmental processes is warranted.

More Related Videos

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation06:16

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells06:48

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 16, 2022

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...
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...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation01:10

Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation

The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...