LIN28
Encyclopedia
Lin-28 homolog A is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the LIN28 gene
. It is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and has been used to enhance the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS
) cells from human fibroblasts. It encodes a cytoplasmic mRNA-binding protein that binds to and enhances the translation of the IGF-2 (Insulin-like growth factor 2) mRNA.. Lin28 has also been shown to bind to the let-7 pre-miRNA and block production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. The two folded domains of Lin28 recognize two distinct regions of the RNA and are sufficient for inhibition of let-7 in vivo.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the LIN28 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. It is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and has been used to enhance the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS
Induced pluripotent stem cell
Induced pluripotent stem cells, commonly abbreviated as iPS cells or iPSCs are a type of pluripotent stem cell artificially derived from a non-pluripotent cell, typically an adult somatic cell, by inducing a "forced" expression of specific genes....
) cells from human fibroblasts. It encodes a cytoplasmic mRNA-binding protein that binds to and enhances the translation of the IGF-2 (Insulin-like growth factor 2) mRNA.. Lin28 has also been shown to bind to the let-7 pre-miRNA and block production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. The two folded domains of Lin28 recognize two distinct regions of the RNA and are sufficient for inhibition of let-7 in vivo.