title: MicroRNA function in neuronal development, plasticity and disease.
abstract: The development and function of the nervous system is orchestrated by a plethora of gene regulatory mechanisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), an abundant class of small non-coding RNAs, are emerging as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in the brain. MiRNAs function at all stages of neuronal development, ranging from the initial specification of neuronal cell types to the formation and plasticity of synaptic connections between individual neurons. Moreover, links between miRNA dysfunction and neurological diseases become more and more apparent. The study of this novel layer of gene regulation therefore promises to enrich our knowledge of brain function and pathology.
authors.affiliation: Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften, SFB488 Junior Group, Universität Heidelberg, and Institut für Neuroanatomie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schratt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs