Regulation of zebrafish fin regeneration by microRNAs

A number of genes have been implicated in regeneration, but the regulation of these genes, particularly pertaining to regeneration in higher vertebrates, remains an interesting and mostly open question. We have studied microRNA (miRNA) regulation of regeneration and found that an intact miRNA pathway is essential for caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish. We also showed that miR-203 directly targets the Writ signaling transcription factor Lef1 during this process. Repression of Lef1 by miR-203 blocks regeneration, whereas loss of miR-203 results in excess Lef1 levels and fin overgrowth. Expression of Lef1 from mRNAs lacking 3' UTR recognition elements can rescue the effects of excess miR-203, demonstrating that these effects are due to specific regulation of lef1 by miR-203. Our data support a model in which regulation of Lef1 protein levels by miR-203 is a key limiting step during regeneration.