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. 2012:4:3.
doi: 10.3410/B4-3. Epub 2012 Feb 1.

microRNA induced transdifferentiation

Archana Shenoy  1 , Robert Blelloch
Affiliations

microRNA induced transdifferentiation

Archana Shenoy et al. F1000 Biol Rep. 2012.

Abstract

Recent months have seen rapid advances in the field of transdifferentiation, specifically in the conversion of fibroblasts to neurons. Most surprising is the observation that the ability to drive these transitions is not limited to transcription factors, but that they can be promoted by microRNAs as well. Indeed, in one case, microRNAs alone induced the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to neuron-like cells, albeit at a low efficiency. Here, we review this rapidly advancing field, discuss possible mechanisms underlying microRNA-induced transdifferentiation and the potential for microRNAs to drive such transitions to any cell type of interest in vitro and in vivo.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. microRNA-induced differentiation and transdifferentiation to neurons
Similar microRNAs promote the transition of fibroblasts to neurons and neural progenitors to neurons. The complete set of targets for these microRNAs remain unknown. However, at least a subset including Baf53a, REST, and PTBP1 are common to both fibroblasts and neural progenitors suggesting overlapping pathways in the two transitions. Abbreviations: BAF, Brg/Brm-associated factor; PTBP1, polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1; REST, RE1-silencing transcription factor.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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