MicroRNA regulation of neural crest differentiation

项目摘要 这个项目的目标是确定神经嵴发育的分子机制。神经嵴细胞 (NCC)是一个高度迁移和多能的细胞群体，产生了令人难以置信的多样性， 分化的细胞类型。在哺乳动物发育过程中，NCC是从多能外胚层诱导的， 发育中的神经板的侧缘。哺乳动物神经嵴调控的分子机制 对归纳法了解很少。在这个项目中，我们专注于一个高表达的microRNA家族， 在哺乳动物神经嵴诱导过程中起关键作用的miR-302。利用基因缺失- 在功能缺失的小鼠和人类模型中，我们发现miR-302是防止神经嵴早熟所必需的。 规范.此外，我们目前的数据表明，miR-302调节神经嵴的时间， 通过靶向和抑制几种新的因子来发展。该项目将提供洞察最早的 哺乳动物神经嵴发育的各个阶段，并阐明了 外胚层多能性和神经嵴多能性。

PROJECT SUMMARY ABSTRACT The goal of this project is to define the molecular mechanisms governing neural crest development. Neural crest cells (NCC) are a highly migratory and multipotent cell population that gives rise to an incredible diversity of differentiated cell types. During mammalian development, NCCs are induced from pluripotent ectoderm at the lateral margins of the developing neural plate. The molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian neural crest induction are poorly understood. In this project, we focus on a highly expressed microRNA family in pluripotency, miR-302, which plays a critical role during mammalian neural crest induction. Using genetic loss- of-function mouse and human models, we find that miR-302 is required to prevent precocious neural crest specification. Additionally, we present data suggesting that miR-302 regulates the timing of neural crest development by targeting and repressing several novel factors. This project will provide insight into the earliest stages of mammalian neural crest development and shed light on the developmental relationship between ectodermal pluripotency and neural crest multipotency.