Open AccessEpigenetic Regulation of Nanog by MiR‐302 Cluster‐MBD2 Completes Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming
Author(s) -
Lee Man Ryul,
Prasain Nutan,
Chae HeeDon,
Kim YoungJune,
Mantel Charlie,
Yoder Mervin C.,
Broxmeyer Hal E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.1302
Subject(s) - reprogramming , homeobox protein nanog , induced pluripotent stem cell , biology , microrna , microbiology and biotechnology , somatic cell , epigenetics , stem cell , nanog homeobox protein , cell potency , regulation of gene expression , embryonic stem cell , cell , genetics , gene
While most somatic cells undergoing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell reprogramming with Yamanaka factors accumulate at stable partially reprogrammed stages, the molecular mechanisms required to achieve full reprogramming are unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) fine‐tune mRNA translation and are implicated in reprogramming, but miRNA functional targets critical for complete iPS cell reprogramming remain elusive. We identified methyl‐DNA binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) as an epigenetic suppressor, blocking full reprogramming of somatic to iPS cells through direct binding to NANOG promoter elements preventing transcriptional activation. When we overexpressed miR‐302 cluster we observed a significant increase in conversion of partial to fully reprogrammed iPS cells by suppressing MBD2 expression, thereby increasing NANOG expression. Thus, expression of exogenous miR‐302 cluster (without miR‐367) is efficient in attaining a fully reprogrammed iPS state in partially reprogrammed cells by relieving MBD2‐mediated inhibition of NANOG expression. Our studies provide a direct molecular mechanism involved in generating complete human iPS cell reprogramming to study disease pathogenesis, drug screening, and for potential cell‐based therapies. S TEM C ELLS 2013;31:666–681