Epigenetic regulation of miRNA in stem cells

Abstract

The ability of stem cells to maintain the necessary potency to differentiate into unique progeny, as well as the process of differentiation itself, exemplifies the critical role of epigenetic regulation in modulating the expression of common genomes so as to link cellular genotype with phenotype. Various types of epigenetic regulation in the context of stem cells, and in particular that of epigenetic regulation of non-coding microRNA, hold significance during neurogenesis from a stem cell state. Potential mechanisms and discussion on the role of epigenetic regulation of miRNA expression during stem cell epigenesis and function will be put forth. Additionally, descriptions of current techniques enabling identification of key regulatory pathways involving miRNA via comprehensive expression profiling are provided.