Selenium enhances the expression of miR-9, miR-124 and miR-29a during neural differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.BACKGROUND
 Selenium (Se) is a trace element that plays important role in antioxidant defense in the brain.  Our results suggest that the protective effect of selenium on neural differentiation of stem cells may be mediated through neuron specific microRNAs.  This result further highlights the importance of selenium supplementation in preventing neuronal diseases.
Selenium
Also, the total RNA is extracted from control and neural differentiated cells using a special kit, and the expression of miR-9, miR-124, and miR-29a was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).



RT-PCR
For neural induction, BMSCs were divided into control, Na2SeO3 containing (10 ng/mL) and Na2SeO3 free groups and cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with Isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX), Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), B27, Retinoic acid, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for 14 days. 
DMEM medium