Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis
Published on: November 11, 2014
MicroRNA-302/367 cluster governs hESC self-renewal by dually regulating cell cycle and apoptosis pathways
Zhonghui Zhang1, Yuanfan Hong2, Di Xiang3
1Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609, USA; Berkeley Stem Cell Center, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Abstract:
miR-302/367 is the most abundant miRNA cluster in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and can promote somatic cell reprogramming. However, its role in hESCs remains poorly understood. Here, we studied functional roles of the endogenous miR-302/367 cluster in hESCs by employing specific TALE-based transcriptional repressors. We revealed that miR-302/367 cluster dually regulates hESC cell cycle and apoptosis in dose-dependent manner. Gene profiling and functional studies identified key targets of the miR-302/367 cluster in regulating hESC self-renewal and apoptosis. We demonstrate that in addition to its role in cell cycle regulation, miR-302/367 cluster conquers apoptosis by downregulating BNIP3L/Nix (a BH3-only proapoptotic factor) and upregulating BCL-xL expression. Furthermore, we show that butyrate, a natural compound, upregulates miR-302/367 cluster expression and alleviates hESCs from apoptosis induced by knockdown of miR-302/367 cluster. In summary, our findings provide new insights in molecular mechanisms of how miR-302/367 cluster regulates hESCs.
Related Concept Videos
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs
Replicative Cell Senescence

