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Role for microRNAs in limb regeneration
March 17, 2008In the March 15th issue of G&D, Dr. Kenneth Poss (Duke University Medical Center) and colleagues reveal that microRNA depletion is a necessary step in tissue regeneration - a discovery with interesting implications for their use in regenerative medicine.
Dr. Poss is excited at the prospect that "there may indeed be microRNAs that when manipulated appropriately could impact and even increase the ability of a damaged human organ to regenerate healthy tissue."
Regeneration, the replacement of damaged or lost body parts, is a shared trait among some animal species - as any youngster who has cut an earthworm in half can attest to. But the repair of damaged tissue and organs in higher animals is also one of the primary goals of current stem cell research.
The common aquarium pet, zebrafish, is an excellent genetic model system, capable of regenerating its spinal cord, retina, heart and fins. First author, Viravuth Yin, and his colleagues focused on fin regeneration, as it entails the coordination of a large number of different cells types to recreate the functional organ.
The scientists noted that many microRNAs were differentially regulated during fin regeneration, but that the expression of one microRNA in particular - miR-133 - showed an antagonistic relationship with fin regeneration: When miR-133 levels are high, fin regeneration is inhibited; When miR-133 levels are low, fin regeneration is promoted.
miR-133 is regulated by the FGF signaling pathway, so by tweaking FGF activity, Dr. Poss and colleagues were able to manipulate miR-133 levels. The researchers found that experimentally increasing miR-133 levels slowed regeneration, while decreasing miR-133 levels enhanced regeneration.
"The finding that microRNA levels are being controlled during appendage regeneration to assist changes in gene expression makes sense, given how important these RNAs are in developmental biology. We were surprised, though, to see that modulating the amount of a single microRNA family could influence regenerative success in zebrafish," explains Dr. Poss.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The common aquarium pet, zebrafish, is an excellent genetic model system, capable of regenerating its spinal cord, retina, heart and fins. First author, Viravuth Yin, and his colleagues focused on fin regeneration, as it entails the coordination of a large number of different cells types to recreate the functional organ.
The scientists noted that many microRNAs were differentially regulated during fin regeneration, but that the expression of one microRNA in particular - miR-133 - showed an antagonistic relationship with fin regeneration: When miR-133 levels are high, fin regeneration is inhibited; When miR-133 levels are low, fin regeneration is promoted.
miR-133 is regulated by the FGF signaling pathway, so by tweaking FGF activity, Dr. Poss and colleagues were able to manipulate miR-133 levels. The researchers found that experimentally increasing miR-133 levels slowed regeneration, while decreasing miR-133 levels enhanced regeneration.
"The finding that microRNA levels are being controlled during appendage regeneration to assist changes in gene expression makes sense, given how important these RNAs are in developmental biology. We were surprised, though, to see that modulating the amount of a single microRNA family could influence regenerative success in zebrafish," explains Dr. Poss.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
MicroRNAs News and Current MicroRNAs Events RSSTiny molecule helps control blood-vessel development, researchers find
The development and repair of heart tissue and blood vessels is intimately tied to a tiny piece of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that is found nowhere else in the body, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.
Gladstone scientists identify single microRNA that controls blood vessel development
Scientists from the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) and UCSF have identified a key regulatory factor that controls development of the human vascular system, the extensive network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that allow blood to reach all tissues and organs.
Hebrew University study opening new route for combating viruses
A unique technique for analyzing the function of microRNAs developed by a Hebrew University of Jerusalem doctoral student has led to the discovery of a new mechanism by which viruses evade the human immune system.
Jefferson, Ohio State team find gene signature profile for metastasis
A common signature of tiny, specific pieces of non-coding genetic material known as microRNAs (miRNAs) may be directly involved in the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
Scientists discover small RNAs that regulate gene expression and protect the genome
RNA is best known as a working copy of the DNA sequence of genes. In this role, it's a carrier of the genes' instructions to the cell, which manufactures proteins according to information in the RNA molecule.
Scientists dig deeper into the genetics of schizophrenia by evaluating microRNAs
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have illuminated a window into how abnormalities in microRNAs, a family of molecules that regulate expression of numerous genes, may contribute to the behavioral and neuronal deficits associated with schizophrenia and possibly other brain disorders.
Cold Spring Harbor Scientists Are Part of Consortium That Sequences Platypus Genome, Unlocking Secrets of Evolution
By any account, the platypus is an odd creature. It's got a broad, rubbery bill that brings to mind a duck-.but it swims more like a beaver-.yet it lays eggs and can inject poisonous venom, like a reptile.
MicroRNAs appear essential for retinal health
Retinas in newborn mice appear perfectly fine without any help from tiny bits of genetic material called microRNAs except for one thing - the retinas do not work.
New genetic techniques to combat lung cancer
New results on genetic techniques that are helping doctors diagnose and treat lung cancer were released today at the 1st European Lung Cancer Conference jointly organized by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Two suppressor molecules affect 70 genes in leukemia
By restoring two small molecules that are often lost in chronic leukemia, researchers were able to block tumor growth in an animal model.
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