The miR-302/367 cluster: a comprehensive update on its evolution and functions. Issue 12 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Zeqian; Zhu, Xueliang; Dou, Yongxi
• Is Part Of: Open biology. Volume 5:Issue 12(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: miR-302/367 cluster -- evolution -- transcriptional regulation -- cell cycle -- cellular signalling -- epigenetic regulation; Biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1098/rsob.150138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2441

Abstract

Abstract : microRNAs are a subclass of small non-coding RNAs that fine-tune the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miR-302/367 cluster, generally consisting of five members, miR-367, miR-302d, miR-302a, miR-302c and miR-302b, is ubiquitously distributed in vertebrates and occupies an intragenic cluster located in the gene La-related protein 7 ( LARP7 ). The cluster was demonstrated to play an important role in diverse biological processes, such as the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), self-renewal and reprogramming. This paper provides an overview of the mir-302/367 cluster, discusses our current understanding of the cluster's evolutionary history and transcriptional regulation and reviews the literature surrounding the cluster's roles in cell cycle regulation, epigenetic regulation and different cellular signalling pathways.