MiR-302 enhances the viability and stemness of male germline stem cells

Reprod Domest Anim. 2018 Dec;53(6):1580-1588. doi: 10.1111/rda.13266. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Abstract

MicroRNAs were reported to be able to regulate mGSCs' self-renewal through post-transcriptional inhibition of gene expression. miR-302 worked as one important microRNA family existed mainly in human ESCs, and its role in mGSCs has not been reported yet. To elucidate the role of miR-302 in dairy goat mGSCs, the expression profile of miR-302 was explored through qPCR and FISH. Furthermore, to detect the function of miR-302, the expression vector containing miR-302 was transfected into mGSCs, and then, the cell cycle, the cell apoptosis and the genes associated with mGSCs' self-renewal and differentiation were examined. The results showed that miR-302 expressed in testis moderately and located on the basement of seminiferous tubes which shared the same location as mGSCs. Transfection of the vector containing miR-302 fragment into the immortalized mGSCs obviously enhanced the cell proliferation ability and the attachment ability, also, promoted the expression level of CD49f and OCT4. Also, miR-302 reduced the cell apoptosis and downregulated the expression of P21. miR-302 sustained mGSCs' proliferation in vitro.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Germ Cells
  • Goats / genetics
  • Goats / metabolism*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Seminiferous Tubules / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • MicroRNAs