title: MicroRNA networks direct neuronal development and plasticity.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small, non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. In neurons, the functions of individual miRNAs are just beginning to emerge, and recent studies have elucidated roles for neural miRNAs at various stages of neuronal development and maturation, including neurite outgrowth, dendritogenesis, and spine formation. Notably, miRNAs regulate mRNA translation locally in the axosomal and synaptodendritic compartments, and thereby contribute to the dynamic spatial organization of axonal and dendritic structures and their function. Given the critical role for miRNAs in regulating early brain development and in mediating synaptic plasticity later in life, it is tempting to speculate that the pathology of neurological disorders is affected by altered expression or functioning of miRNAs. Here we provide an overview of recently identified mechanisms of neuronal development and plasticity involving miRNAs, and the consequences of miRNA dysregulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N F M
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Olde Loohuis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: G J M
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Bokhoven
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nadif Kasri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aschrafi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs