MicroRNA in cell differentiation and development

The regulation of gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs) is a recently discovered pattern of gene regulation in animals and plants. MiRNAs have been implicated in various aspects of animal development and cell differentiation, such as early embryonic development, neuronal development, muscle development, and lymphocyte development, by the analysis of genetic deletions of individual miRNAs in mammals. These studies show that miRNAs are key regulators in animal development and are potential causes of human diseases. Here we review some recent discoveries about the functions of miRNAs in cell differentiation and development. Supported by National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2005CB724602) and Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KSCX2-YW-R-096, KSCX1-YW-R-64)