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Vreugdenhil, E.; Berezikov, E. (2010)

Fine-tuning the brain: microRNAs

Article / Letter to editor
The brain is of bewildering complexity and numerous genes and signaling molecules have been described that affect the architecture and functioning of specific neuronal circuits. Recent evidence from genome analysis revealed the existence of a large group of novel RNA molecules with unexpected properties. One such group is called microRNAs, which are small 21-23 nucleotides RNA molecules that are transcribed by the genome. However, they are not translated into proteins but rather control translation of coding mRNA. Particularly in the brain, numerous different microRNAs are expressed in a cell type specific fashion both during development and in adulthood. Aberrant microRNA expression has been implicated in several human diseases including CNS diseases. The aim of this review is to emphasize their role in the development of the brain and their function. In addition, we highlight recent findings on the evolution of mammalian microRNAs and their effect on steroid signaling in the brain...Show moreThe brain is of bewildering complexity and numerous genes and signaling molecules have been described that affect the architecture and functioning of specific neuronal circuits. Recent evidence from genome analysis revealed the existence of a large group of novel RNA molecules with unexpected properties. One such group is called microRNAs, which are small 21-23 nucleotides RNA molecules that are transcribed by the genome. However, they are not translated into proteins but rather control translation of coding mRNA. Particularly in the brain, numerous different microRNAs are expressed in a cell type specific fashion both during development and in adulthood. Aberrant microRNA expression has been implicated in several human diseases including CNS diseases. The aim of this review is to emphasize their role in the development of the brain and their function. In addition, we highlight recent findings on the evolution of mammalian microRNAs and their effect on steroid signaling in the brain. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Show less
MicroRNA Glucocorticoids Neurogenesis Development Signaling Translation Non-coding RNA Plasticity Feedback loop estrogen-receptor-alpha central-nervous-system stem-cell division small rnas neuronal differentiation down-regulation breast-cancer caenorhabditis-elegans microarray analysis repeated stress
All authors
Vreugdenhil, E.; Berezikov, E.
Date
2010-04-30
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
Volume
31
Issue
2
Pages
128 - 133
DOI
doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2009.08.001