Noncoding RNAs in the mammalian central nervous system.
The central nervous system (CNS) is arguably one of the most complex systems in the universe. To understand the CNS, scientists have investigated a variety of molecules, including proteins, lipids, and various small molecules. However, one large class of molecules, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), has been relatively unexplored. ncRNAs function directly as structural, catalytic, or regulatory molecules rather than serving as templates for protein synthesis. The increasing variety of ncRNAs being identified in the CNS suggests a strong connection between the biogenesis, dynamics of action, and combinatorial regulatory potential of ncRNAs and the complexity of the CNS. In this review, we give an overview of the diversity and abundance of ncRNAs before delving into specific examples that illustrate their importance in the CNS. In particular, we cover recent evidence for the roles of microRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, retrotransposons, the NRSE small modulatory RNA, and BC1/BC200 in the CNS. Finally, we speculate why ncRNAs are well adapted to improving organism-environment interactions.
Cao
Xinwei
X
Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. cao@salk.edu
Yeo
Gene
G
Muotri
Alysson R
AR
Kuwabara
Tomoko
T
Gage
Fred H
FH
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009422:Nervous System Diseases; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000502:physiology*; D018626:Retroelements
C117734:BC1 RNA; D035683:MicroRNAs; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D018626:Retroelements