The miR-17/106–p38 axis is a key regulator of the neurogenic-to-gliogenic transition in developing neural stem/progenitor cells

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) restrict their differentiation potential by developmental stage-dependent temporal specification. Thereby, specific and efficient induction of homogeneous target cell populations remains a challenge in stem cell biology. Here, we provided a potential solution by identifying the molecular machinery responsible for neurogenic-to-gliogenic transition of NSPCs, a process we termed “competence change.” We identified the microRNA-17/106–p38 axis as a critical regulator of the competence change, although epigenetic regulation seemed to be the regulatory program behind it, by our previous Coup-tf study. NSPCs sustained and restored neurogenic potential by competence regulation. Moreover, at least a part of neuron-subtype specification was regulated independent of it. Control of these multilayered regulatory programs seems promising for rigorous manipulation of cytogenesis from NSPCs.