The NRSE smRNA specifies the fate of adult hippocampal neural stem cells.
Recently we found that the nuclear localized small modulatory double-stranded (ds) RNA (smRNA) coding NRSE sequences triggered activation of transcription of NRSE genes in adult hippocampal neural stem cells. NRSE smRNA, which are non-coding dsRNAs about 20 bp in length, reside in the nucleus and play a critical role in mediating neuronal differentiation. These smRNAs carry the sequence of NRSE/RE1, which is recognized by the NRSF/REST transcription factor. The NRSE sequences are embedded widely in the genomic region, typically in promoters of neuron-specific genes. The mechanism of action appears to be mediated through a specific interaction between dsRNA and DNA/protein interaction, rather than through siRNA or miRNA. The discovery of smRNAs extends the important contribution of non-coding RNAs as key regulators of cell fate choice for adult neurogenesis.
Kuwabara
Tomoko
T
Gene Function Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
Hsieh
Jenny
J
Nakashima
Kinichi
K
Warashina
Masaki
M
Taira
Kazunari
K
Gage
Fred H
FH
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D037941:Silencer Elements, Transcriptional; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor