Different timings of Dicer deletion affect neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the developing mouse central nervous system.
MicroRNAs, processed by the RNAase III enzyme Dicer, are approximately 22 nucleotide endogenous noncoding small RNAs. The function of Dicer in the mouse central nervous system (CNS) development is not well understood. Here, we show that specifically deleting Dicer expression in the CNS and in the cerebral cortex using two Cre lines results in reduced progenitor numbers, abnormal neuronal differentiation, and thinner cortical wall. Incomplete Dicer deletion during early embryonic stages contributes to normal development of early-born neurons in the cortex and motor neurons in the spinal cord. However, at late embryonic stages when Dicer is completely ablated in the CNS, the migration of late-born neurons in the cortex and oligodendrocyte precursor expansion and differentiation in the spinal cord are greatly affected. Our studies of different timings of Dicer deletion demonstrate the importance of the Dicer-mediated microRNA pathway in regulating distinct phases of neurogenesis and gliogenesis during the CNS development.
Kawase-Koga
Yoko
Y
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA.
Otaegi
Gaizka
G
Sun
Tao
T
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D043244:Ribonuclease III
D035683:MicroRNAs; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C509781:Dicer1 protein, mouse; D043244:Ribonuclease III; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases