Researchers have successfully charted the role of small RNA molecules, including the Nobel Prize-winning microRNAs, in controlling cell development within the human embryo during the initial days following fertilization. These discoveries could potentially enhance fertility treatments.
Scientists from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have outlined how small RNA molecules, including microRNAs that were recently honored with a Nobel Prize, govern the cell development of human embryos in the early days post-fertilization. This research, published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for better fertility treatments.
The investigation focuses on small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs), which encompass microRNAs. Distinct from mRNA (messenger RNA), these RNA molecules do not produce proteins; instead, they play a significant role in managing gene activity. They function like switches, activating or deactivating genes to direct how embryonic cells grow and differentiate into various cell types.
Identifying Healthy Embryos
The researchers created an atlas illustrating which sncRNAs are essential in the days following fertilization, when a fertilized egg begins to divide and form an early embryo (the blastocyst). These RNA molecules help determine which cells will develop into the embryo and which will become the placenta, making them vital for a successful pregnancy.
“Gaining insight into these mechanisms may enhance fertility treatments like IVF by facilitating the identification of embryos with the highest chances of success,” explains Sophie Petropoulos, a lead researcher at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology at Karolinska Institutet.
Crucial Role in Cellular Development
The research pinpointed significant groups of sncRNAs, including two clusters of microRNAs (C19MC and C14MC) that are critical to cell development and function. C19MC was identified in cells that would later form the placenta, whereas C14MC was located in the cells constituting the embryo.
“Until now, we knew almost nothing about sncRNAs in the human embryo,” remarks Sophie Petropoulos. “Not only does our study have implications for fertility treatments, but it also opens avenues for future research in stem cell therapy and developmental biology, which can deepen our understanding of how life originates,” she adds.
This research was supported by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Society for Medical Research, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with no conflicts of interest reported.
