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A mirror of two faces: Lin28 as a master regulator of both miRNA and mRNA

Yingqun Huang1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. yingqun.huang@yale.edu

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA
|April 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Lin28 protein regulates gene expression by controlling microRNA (miRNA) production and messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. It impacts development, stem cells, metabolism, and cancer by modulating the let-7 miRNA family.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Lin28 is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein.
  • It plays critical roles in development, pluripotency, tumorigenesis, and metabolism.
  • Lin28's functions are linked to its modulation of miRNA biogenesis and mRNA translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Lin28 regulates gene expression.
  • To understand Lin28's role in cellular processes like development and disease.
  • To highlight recent advances in Lin28-mediated posttranscriptional regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating Lin28's interaction with let-7 precursor miRNAs.
  • Analyzing Lin28's effect on miRNA processing and degradation.
  • Studying Lin28's direct binding to mRNAs and its impact on translation.

Main Results:

  • Lin28 inhibits the maturation of let-7 miRNAs by binding to their precursors, promoting uridylation and degradation.
  • Lin28 selectively binds to specific mRNAs, thereby stimulating their translation.
  • These actions collectively influence cell growth, metabolism, and oncogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Lin28 acts as a crucial posttranscriptional regulator of gene expression.
  • Its mechanisms involve both miRNA biogenesis inhibition and direct mRNA translational control.
  • Understanding Lin28 is vital for research in development, stem cells, metabolic diseases, and cancer.

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