Mechanism of folate deficiency-induced apoptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells: Cell cycle arrest/apoptosis in G1/G0 mediated by microRNA-302a and tumor suppressor gene Lats2

► Folate deficiency may induce cell cycle specific apoptosis in mESCs. ► Folate deficiency on mammalian development may be mediated by mESC-specific miRNAs. ► miRNAs and their target genes play roles in response to low folate in mESCs. ► miR-302a directly influences cell cycle specific apoptosis in response to low folate.