miR-106b regulates the reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells into iPSC-like cells

Abstract Background Recent years have brought notable progress in raising the efficiency of the reprogramming technique, so that approaches have evolved from known transgenic factors to only a few microRNAs. Nevertheless, there is a poor understanding of both the key factors and biological networks underlying this reprogramming. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential of miR-106b in regulating Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to iPSC-like cells. We used SSCs because pluripotency can be induced in them under defined culture conditions with fewer issues compared to other adult stem cells. Methods As both signaling and post-transcriptional gene control are critical for the regulation of pluripotency, we traced the expression of Oct-4, Sox-2, Klf-4, c-Myc, and Nanog (OSKMN), and studied miR-106b targets using bioinformatic methods. Results Our results showed that transfected SSCs with miR-106b increased expression of the OSKMN factors, and this expression in iPSC and induced SSC groups was significantly more than negative control groups. Moreover, using the functional miRNA enrichment analysis, online tools, and databases we predicted that miR-106b targeted a signaling pathway gene named MAPK1/ERK2, which regulates stem cell pluripotency. Conclusions Together, these data suggest that miR-106b regulates reprogramming of SSCs into iPSC-like cells by targeting the ERK2 gene as a part of the regulatory network that controls the pluripotency state and reprogramming process.