Epigenetic regulation of mir-302 by jmjd1c inhibits neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Abstract

Background: Histone methylation plays important roles in development and embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation. Results: Inhibition of the H3K9 demethylase JMJD1C directly down-regulated miR-302 and promoted neural differentiation of human ESCs (hESCs). Conclusion: JMJD1C inhibits neural differentiation of hESCs at least partially by epigenetically sustaining miR-302 expression. Significance: We provide novel evidence for epigenetic regulation of miR-302 to control neural differentiation of hESCs. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.