Project information
Functional studies of miRNAs and protein-coding genes involved in stem cell-specification during neural development

Project Identification
GJ18-25429Y
Project Period
1/2018 - 7/2022
Investor / Pogramme / Project type
Czech Science Foundation
MU Faculty or unit
Faculty of Medicine

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) represent a unique cell type with the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation. These two properties are determined by a rapid cell cycle and high expression of pluripotent transcription factors (Oct4, Nanog), which also regulate the expression of small non-coding RNAs (miRNAs). Following the induction of differentiation in human HESCs, there is always a slowing of cell proliferation and a reduction in the expression of specific transcription factors and miRNAs. The functions and interactions of these molecules, and their influence on cell division, are therefore the subject of intensive study. Interestingly, following the differentiation of human ESCs specifically into neural stem cells (NSCs), there is a slight slowing of cell division as well as a reduction in the expression of miRNAs and the proteins Oct4 and Nanog. Nevertheless, the cells retain the ability to divide indefinitely and to differentiate into neurons and glial cells. The mechanism by which NSCs regulate these processes has not been precisely described. And because the dysregulation of cell division and differentiation is linked to the development of various diseases, the study of precisely these mechanisms may help to identify candidate molecules for future therapies.

Publications

Total number of publications: 10


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