Abstract: The varied roles played by miRNA in the maintenance of embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal and pluripotency. Several recent studies that have begun to probe the roles of miRNAs during the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells. Subsequently, the function of numerous miRNAs has been shown to control the fate of ES cells and to directly influence critical gene regulatory networks controlled by pluripotency factors Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog. miRNAs are likely to influence the process of reprogramming. In addition, we posit that more than a dozen additional miRNAs are excellent candidates for influencing the generation of IPS cells.

Key words: miRNA; reprogramming; ES cell; IPS cell