[MicroRNA differential expression profile during differentiation of embryonic stem cells towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression profile of microRNAs during the course of embryonic stem cells differentiation towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from embryonic stem cells on day 0, 6, and 9 during cell differentiation, and microRNA was isolated from the total RNA. Microarray analysis of microRNA expression was performed to detect the different expression levels of microRNA among the indicated time points (day 0, 6, and 9). RESULTS: Compared with the microRNA expression level on day 0 of cell differentiation, 17 different microRNAs exhibited higher expressions both on day 6 and day 9. Twenty-two and 27 microRNA demonstrated lower expressions on day 6 and day 9, respectively. Further analysis revealed that 15 microRNA among the above microRNAs with significant differential expression may keep close interation with histone deacetylase. CONCLUSION: During the course of embryonic stem cells differentiation towards hepatocytes induced by sodium butyrate, histone deacetylase and its relevant microRNAs may play important roles in cell differentiation.