Non-coding RNA Regulation of Stem Cell Regenerative Mechanisms: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

The ability to self-renew or differentiate is innate in stem cells (SCs), which are special cells. Through complex signaling networks, both fate decisions are tightly controlled at the molecular level. The function of transcription factors was assumed to be mostly responsible for the regulation of signaling networks promoting self-renewal or differentiation.

In addition, many kinds of non-coding RNA have been demonstrated to have a role in the regulation of stem cell renewal and pluripotency, which in turn affects embryogenesis and development. Among these, the evidence that microRNA and long non-coding RNA are important contributors is very strong. Similar to this, various varieties of non-coding RNA may similarly alter the transcriptional networks that control pluripotency and lineage differentiation.

Circular RNAs, another class of non-coding RNA, have recently been linked to the regulation of human pluripotency. Since they differ from linear RNAs and take on a closed shape, circular RNAs are a subclass of non-coding RNA. It is acknowledged that circular RNA may influence the control of gene expression. According to reports, miRNAs have a higher affinity for binding to circular RNAs than for their natural target mRNA. Circular RNA can therefore act like a sponge to absorb miRNA and lessen their impact on endogenous targets.

However, other regulatory layers with crucial roles in SC fate decisions have emerged, including short noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such vault RNAs and their post-transcriptional modifications (the epitranscriptome). New research indicates that short nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), particularly in tumor cells, are actively involved in cell proliferation; nevertheless, it is unclear what functions these RNAs play in stem cells.

RNA post-transcriptional changes frequently affect how RNA is recognized, processed, and translated. Through structural changes and specialized RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) known as writers, readers, and erasers, RNA post-transcriptional modifications affect RNA. The epitranscriptome coordinates particular functional tasks via SC-context RBPs. Different strategies are now taking advantage of small ncRNA post-transcriptional alterations to speed up SC translational experiments.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight new findings regarding new molecular mechanisms involving non-coding RNA in the regulation of stem cell regenerative properties in order to provide a comprehensive view of advances, challenges, and perspectives in this field.

The topics of this Special Issue will include (but are not limited to) the involvement in SC biology of:

• Micro RNA;
• Noncoding RNA;
• PIWI-interacting RNA
• Promoter-associated RNA;
• Small nuclear RNA;
• Small nucleolar RNA;
• Vault RNA;
• Epigenetical regulation in general.

Prof. Dr. Fabio Sallustio
Prof. Dr. Gianluigi Zaza
Guest Editors

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• micro RNA
• noncoding RNA
• PIWI-interacting RNA
• promoter-associated RNA
• small nuclear RNA
• small nucleolar RNA
• vault RNA
• epigenetical regulation in general