Let-7 represses Nr6a1 and a mid-gestation developmental program in adult fibroblasts

Genes Dev. 2013 Apr 15;27(8):941-54. doi: 10.1101/gad.215376.113.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical to proliferation, differentiation, and development. Here, we characterize gene expression in murine Dicer-null adult mesenchymal stem cell lines, a fibroblast cell type. Loss of Dicer leads to derepression of let-7 targets at levels that exceed 10-fold to 100-fold with increases in transcription. Direct and indirect targets of this miRNA belong to a mid-gestation embryonic program that encompasses known oncofetal genes as well as oncogenes not previously associated with an embryonic state. Surprisingly, this mid-gestation program represents a distinct period that occurs between the pluripotent state of the inner cell mass at embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5) and the induction of let-7 upon differentiation at E10.5. Within this mid-gestation program, we characterize the let-7 target Nr6a1, an embryonic transcriptional repressor that regulates gene expression in adult fibroblasts following miRNA loss. In total, let-7 is required for the continual suppression of embryonic gene expression in adult cells, a mechanism that may underlie its tumor-suppressive function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 6, Group A, Member 1 / genetics*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 6, Group A, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Ribonuclease III / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nr6a1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 6, Group A, Member 1
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, mouse
  • oncofetal antigens
  • Dicer1 protein, mouse
  • Ribonuclease III
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases