Role of microRNAs in the regulation of DNA methyltransferase 3B during the differentiation of embryonic stem-cells

Author(s)

Amanda de Oliveira Ribeiro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências
• Defense date: 26 jun. 2018

Examining board members

Luciana dos Reis Vasques; Robson Francisco Carvalho; Luciana Amaral Haddad; Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis Leon

• Advisor: Luciana dos Reis Vasques

Abstract

Dnmt3b is the major DNA methyltransferase in the proccess of repetitive DNA remethylation during the epigenetic reprogramming wave that occurs in the embryonic development. Its expression is regulated through several mechanisms, including microRNA (miRNAs). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the miRNAs hsa-miR-203, hsa-miR-26a, and hsa-miR-26b in the regulation of DNMT3B expression during the differentiation of human embryonic stem-cells, and its consequences to the DNA methylation of these cells. To accomplish this, we generated expression curves for the investigated miRNAs, as well as for DNMT3B, to verify the existence of correlation between them. We also analysed the effect of superexpressing mimetic miRNAs on DNMT3B expression, and the effect of inhibiting the interaction of these miRNAs with DNMT3B 3\'UTR region on the DNA methyltransferase expression and the levels of DNA methyation. We found that DNMT3B expression is inversely correlated to hsa-miR-203, hsa-miR-26a, and hsa-miR-26b expression, but not to hsa-miR-29b, a previously validated DNMT3B regulator in tumor cells. We also verified that blocking the interaction of hsa-miR-203 to its predicted second interaction site at the DNMT3B mRNA significantly increased DNMT3B expression, but did not interfere with the levels of DNA methylation in these cells. Thus, we conclude that the investigated miRNAs are part of the DNMT3B regulatory machinery during the differentiation of embryonic stem-cells, although the exact functional role of each of them in the control of DNMT3B expression and in the DNA methylation of these cells still remains to be further explored (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07237-6 - The role of microRNAs in the expression of DNA methyltransferase 3B during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells
• Grantee: Amanda de Oliveira Ribeiro
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate