MicroRNA signaling in embryo development

N Gross, J Kropp, H Khatib - Biology, 2017 - mdpi.com
N Gross, J Kropp, H Khatib
Biology, 2017mdpi.com
Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is essential for embryonic development and serves
important roles in gametogenesis. miRNAs are secreted into the extracellular environment
by the embryo during the preimplantation stage of development. Several cell types secrete
miRNAs into biological fluids in the extracellular environment. These fluid-derived miRNAs
have been shown to circulate the body. Stable transport is dependent on proper packaging
of the miRNAs into extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes. These vesicles, which …
Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is essential for embryonic development and serves important roles in gametogenesis. miRNAs are secreted into the extracellular environment by the embryo during the preimplantation stage of development. Several cell types secrete miRNAs into biological fluids in the extracellular environment. These fluid-derived miRNAs have been shown to circulate the body. Stable transport is dependent on proper packaging of the miRNAs into extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes. These vesicles, which also contain RNA, DNA and proteins, are on the forefront of research on cell-to-cell communication. Interestingly, EVs have been identified in many reproductive fluids, such as uterine fluid, where their miRNA content is proposed to serve as a mechanism of crosstalk between the mother and conceptus. Here, we review the role of miRNAs in molecular signaling and discuss their transport during early embryo development and implantation.
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