Understanding the regulatory networks that direct stem cell differentiation is critical to realizing the promise of stem cell therapy. Differentiation requires large and rapid shifts in the mRNA and protein constitution of cells. Small RNAs are particularly well suited to perform this task. For example, microRNAs, a subclass of small RNAs, are predicted to individually regulate hundreds of target genes simultaneously. The overall goal of this proposal is to systematically study the role of small RNAs in embryonic and neural stem cell differentiation. This is a collaborative grant including experts in stem cells and small RNAs. To address the overall objective of the grant, a mouse embryonic stem cell model was developed that specifically knocks-out microRNA function thereby separating the roles of the two main classes of small RNAs, microRNAs and siRNAs, in mammalian development. This model is based on the conditional deletion of the RNA binding protein DGCR8, which is required for the processing of pri- to pre-microRNAs.
The specific aims of this grant include: 1) the analysis of role of microRNAs in stem cell proliferation based on preliminary results showing that DGCR8 null ES cells accumulate in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, 2) characterization of the role of miRNAs in stem cell differentiation based on initial findings that DGCR8 null ES cells continue to self-renew even under strict differentiation conditions. 3) identification of novel non-microRNA small RNAs that are required for stem cell function.
This aim i s based on the finding that the DGCR8 null ES cell phenotype differs from that of the Dicer null phenotype. Completion of this project will help identify regulatory networks that can be manipulated to differentiate and potentially de-differentiate cells along specific developmental pathways. Small RNAs are a relatively new class of cell regulators whose pervasiveness and global effects on gene function suggests they have a central role in both normal and abnormal human development. In support of this, recent evidence shows they have an important role in the development of tumors. Therefore, a systematic analysis of their function in embryonic and somatic stem cells as proposed in this grant should provide important insights into how they influence and can be used to diagnose and treat human disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS057221-04
Application #
7846198
Study Section
Neurogenesis and Cell Fate Study Section (NCF)
Program Officer
Owens, David F
Project Start
2007-06-15
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2013-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$334,590
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Urology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
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Guo, W-T; Wang, X-W; Yan, Y-L et al. (2015) Suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptotic pathways by miR-294/302 family synergistically blocks let-7-induced silencing of self-renewal in embryonic stem cells. Cell Death Differ 22:1158-69
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Parchem, Ronald J; Ye, Julia; Judson, Robert L et al. (2014) Two miRNA clusters reveal alternative paths in late-stage reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 14:617-31
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Ye, Julia; Blelloch, Robert (2014) Regulation of pluripotency by RNA binding proteins. Cell Stem Cell 15:271-280
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Wang, Yangming; Melton, Collin; Li, Ya-Pu et al. (2013) miR-294/miR-302 promotes proliferation, suppresses G1-S restriction point, and inhibits ESC differentiation through separable mechanisms. Cell Rep 4:99-109
Lamouille, Samy; Subramanyam, Deepa; Blelloch, Robert et al. (2013) Regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-epithelial transitions by microRNAs. Curr Opin Cell Biol 25:200-7
Judson, Robert L; Greve, Tobias S; Parchem, Ronald J et al. (2013) MicroRNA-based discovery of barriers to dedifferentiation of fibroblasts to pluripotent stem cells. Nat Struct Mol Biol 20:1227-35

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