[8] Lin28 binds to the let-7 pre-microRNA and blocks production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells.

In nematodes, the LIN28 homolog lin-28 is a heterochronic gene that determines the onset of early larval stages of developmental events in C. elegans, by regulating the self-renewal of nematode stem cells in the skin (called seam cells) and vulva (called VPCs) during development.

[17] LIN28 can regulate glucose homeostasis in mammals by increasing insulin-PI3K-mTOR signaling and insulin sensitivity, thereby promoting resistance to high fat diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes.

[18] Aberrant expression of LIN28 has been seen to regulate aerobic glycolysis to facilitate cancer proliferation Mice genetically altered to produce LIN28 during their lifespan showed improved hair growth[19] and healthy tissue regeneration on added puncture wounds[19] in later life stages.

[19][20] Models of Lin28/let-7 complexes obtained through X-ray crystallography and NMR reveal that two folded domains of Lin28 recognize two distinct RNA regions.