Role of microRNAs in myeloid differentiation. (19th November 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fatica, Alessandro; Rosa, Alessandro; Ballarino, Monica; Marchis, Maria Laura De; Rasmussen, Kasper D.; Bozzoni, Irene
• Is Part Of: Biochemical Society transactions. Volume 36:Number 6(2008)
• Page Start: 1201
• Page End: 1205
• Publication Date: 2008-11-19
• Subjects: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) -- all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) -- CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) -- haemopoiesis -- microRNA (miRNA) -- myelopoiesis; Biochemistry -- Congresses; 572
• DOI: 10.1042/BST0361201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-5127

Abstract

Abstract : All types of blood cell of the body are continuously produced by rare pluripotent self-renewing HSCs (haemopoietic stem cells) by a process known as haemopoiesis. This process provides a valuable model for examining how genetic programmes involved in cell differentiation are established, and also how cell-fate specification is altered in leukaemia. Here, we describe examples of how miRNAs (microRNAs) can influence myelopoiesis and how the identification of their target mRNAs has contributed to the understanding of the molecular networks involved in the alternative control between cell growth and differentiation. Ectopic expression and knockdown of specific miRNAs have provided powerful molecular tools able to control the switch between proliferation and differentiation, therefore providing new therapeutic tools for interfering with tumorigenesis.