Expression of Mirlet7 family microRNAs in response to retinoic acid-induced spermatogonial differentiation in mice

Biol Reprod. 2011 Jul;85(1):189-97. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.089458. Epub 2011 Mar 23.

Abstract

Spermatogonial differentiation is orchestrated by the precise control of gene expression involving retinoic acid signaling. MicroRNAs have emerged as important regulators of spermatogenesis, and here we show that the Mirlet7 family miRNAs are expressed in mouse spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Retinoic acid significantly leads to the induction of Mirlet7 miRNAs through suppression of Lin28. We further confirmed both in vitro and in vivo that expressions of Mycn, Ccnd1, and Col1a2, which are targets of Mirlet7, were downregulated during spermatogonial differentiation. These results suggest that Mirlet7 family miRNAs play a role in retinoic acid-induced spermatogonial differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Spermatogonia / cytology
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism*
  • Tretinoin

Substances

  • Lin-28 protein, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Tretinoin