MicroRNA-26a targets ten eleven translocation enzymes and is regulated during pancreatic cell differentiation.

Ten eleven translocation (TET) enzymes are recently identified proteins that mediate DNA demethylation, but their regulation is still unknown. This paper indicates that a microRNA, miR-26a, is able to directly target TETs and then modulate 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels. Furthermore, regulation of TETs by miR-26a is shown to promote pancreatic cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. These results highlight a link between a miRNA, DNA demethylation, and stem/progenitor cell differentiation. It also suggests a potential approach to increase the efficiency of generating pancreatic endocrine cells in vitro through modulating miR-26a.