Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
06:51
Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
Published on: May 1, 2017
miR-29 and miR-30 regulate B-Myb expression during cellular senescence
Ivan Martinez1, Demian Cazalla, Laura L Almstead
1Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208005, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Summary
MicroRNAs miR-29 and miR-30 are upregulated during cellular senescence, a key tumor suppressor mechanism. These microRNAs regulate B-Myb expression, impacting cell growth and senescence.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular senescence is a critical tumor suppressor mechanism characterized by irreversible growth arrest.
- The role of microRNAs in regulating senescence pathways is an area of active investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-29 and miR-30 microRNA families in cellular senescence.
- To determine the regulatory relationship between miR-29, miR-30, and the B-Myb oncogene during senescence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microRNA expression during induced and replicative senescence.
- Reporter assays utilizing the B-Myb 3'UTR with wild-type and mutated microRNA binding sites.
- Manipulation of miR-29 and miR-30 levels via transfection and interference.
- Assessment of cellular DNA synthesis and senescence inhibition.
Main Results:
- miR-29 and miR-30 families are upregulated during senescence, dependent on the Retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway.
- miR-29 and miR-30 directly bind to the B-Myb 3'UTR, repressing its expression.
- Introduction of miR-29 and miR-30 inhibits endogenous B-Myb expression and cellular DNA synthesis.
- Interference with miR-29 and miR-30 function impairs senescence.
Conclusions:
- miR-29 and miR-30 are key regulators of B-Myb expression during cellular senescence.
- These microRNAs play a significant role in Rb-driven cellular senescence, acting as tumor suppressors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:23Negative Regulator Molecules
Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
02:23Master 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...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...