MicroRNAs regulate and provide robustness to the myogenic transcriptional network

The genetics of skeletal muscle lineage commitment are deceptively complicated. MyoD overexpression is sufficient to convert fibroblasts into skeletal muscle myotubes. In vivo, there are a number of different steps of differentiation that require a large network of transcription factors that control differentiation and homeostasis of skeletal muscle progenitors. Each transcription factor has been shown to have the ability to promote the next factor in the cascade, but the mechanisms regulating the transitions remain incomplete. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to be important for a large number of developmental and oncogenic processes. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the understanding of how microRNA is critical for skeletal muscle development by interacting with protein-coding genes that had previously been shown to be important for myogenesis.

► MicroRNAs are important for proper embryonic development of skeletal muscle, as well as response to muscle injury. ► The targets of microRNAs may be myogenic transcription factors, but also could be regulators of transcription factors. ► Although a specific microRNA-mRNA interaction is rarely critical for myogenesis, it confers robustness to the overall network of regulation.