Spatio-Temporal Expression and Functional Analysis of miR-206 in Developing Orofacial Tissue

Background: Development of the mammalian palate is dependent on precise, spatiotemporal expression of a panoply of genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), the largest family of noncoding RNAs, function as crucial modulators of cell and tissue differentiation, regulating expression of key downstream genes. Observations: Our laboratory has previously identified several developmentally regulated miRNAs, including miR-206, during critical stages of palatal morphogenesis. The current study reports spatiotemporal distribution of miR-206 during development of the murine secondary palate (gestational days 12.5-14.5). Result and Conclusion: Potential cellular functions and downstream gene targets of miR-206 were investigated using functional assays and expression profiling, respectively. Functional analyses highlighted potential roles of miR-206 in governing TGF and Wnt signaling in mesenchymal cells of the developing secondary palate. In addition, altered expression of miR-206 within developing palatal tissue of TGF-/- fetuses reinforced the premise that crosstalk between this miRNA and TGF is crucial for secondary palate development.