It has become clear that miRNA processing plays a pivotal role in fundamental aspects of cell behavior. As recently reported by Viswanathan et al., miRNA processing by Lin28 plays an important role in cancer progression. These data are consistent with the promotion of tumor cell growth by Lin28B as reported by Guo et al. In addition, studies by Yu et al. indicate that Lin28 plays a critical role in enabling stem cell pluripotency.

Although Lin28 can promote tumor cell migration and differentiation potential, underlying factors that control Lin28 expression have not been defined. The Src kinase also plays pivotal roles in early embryonic development and cancer progression (Yeatman 2004). This led us to hypothesize that Lin28 expression can be regulated by the Src tyrosine kinase.