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The epitranscriptome landscape of small noncoding RNAs in stem cells.
James M W R McElhinney1, Ayesha Hasan1, Abdulrahim A Sajini1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)
|June 30, 2020
Summary
Small non-coding RNAs and their modifications, the epitranscriptome, are crucial regulators of stem cell (SC) fate. Understanding these RNA modifications offers new avenues for regenerative medicine and SC propagation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Stem cells (SCs) possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, regulated by molecular signaling pathways.
- Transcription factors were traditionally considered the primary regulators of SC fate decisions.
- Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their post-transcriptional modifications (epitranscriptome) represent emerging regulatory layers in SC biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of small ncRNA post-transcriptional modifications in controlling stem cell fate.
- To highlight the importance of the epitranscriptome and associated proteins in stem cell biology.
- To explore the potential of epitranscriptome-based strategies for regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on small ncRNA modifications and stem cell fate.
- Analysis of RNA post-transcriptional modification mechanisms (stability, splicing, translation).
- Examination of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) as mediators of epitranscriptome function in SCs.
Main Results:
- Epitranscriptomic modifications on small ncRNAs provide dual regulatory control over RNA activity and SC fate.
- Specialized RBPs (writers, readers, erasers) coordinate epitranscriptome functions within stem cells.
- Post-transcriptional modifications are exploited to study SC fate and generate induced pluripotent stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Small ncRNA modifications are essential for regulating stem cell fate during development and in disease.
- The epitranscriptome and its protein partners are critical for stem cell function.
- Targeting the epitranscriptome offers promising novel tools for stem cell propagation and regenerative medicine.
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