Abstract: Objective To study the role of miR-196a-5p in regulating self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). Methods Q-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-196a-5p during mESC early differentiation. miR-196a-5p mimics were overexpressed in mESCs, and the then colony formation ability, cell proliferation, Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) activity and Oct4 staining of mESC were detected. Results miR-196a-5p increased during RA-induced differentiation and EB differentiation of mESC. Overexpression of miR-196a-5p in mESC could inhibit the colony formation and cell proliferation of mESCs. Meanwhile, miR-196a-5p decreased the AP activity and Oct4 expression in mESCs. Conclusions miR-196a-5p suppresses self-renewal of mESCs and increases during mESC early differentiation which suggests that miR-196a-5p might play important roles in promoting mESC differentiation.

Key words: miR-196a-5p, mouse embryonic stem cells, self-renewal