title: Network analysis of microRNA and mRNA seasonal dynamics in a highly plastic sensorimotor neural circuit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adult neurogenesis and the incorporation of adult-born neurons into functional circuits requires precise spatiotemporal coordination across molecular networks regulating a wide array of processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, neurotrophin signaling, and electrical activity. MicroRNAs (miRs) - short, non-coding RNA sequences that alter gene expression by post-transcriptional inhibition or degradation of mRNA sequences - may be involved in the global coordination of such diverse biological processes. To test the hypothesis that miRs related to adult neurogenesis and related cellular processes are functionally regulated in the nuclei of the avian song control circuit, we used microarray analyses to quantify changes in expression of miRs and predicted target mRNAs in the telencephalic nuclei HVC, the robust nucleus of arcopallium (RA), and the basal ganglia homologue Area X in breeding and nonbreeding Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelli).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 46 different miRs that were differentially expressed across seasons in the song nuclei. miR-132 and miR-210 showed the highest differential expression in HVC and Area X, respectively. Analyzing predicted mRNA targets of miR-132 identified 33 candidate target genes that regulate processes including cell cycle control, calcium signaling, and neuregulin signaling in HVC. Likewise, miR-210 was predicted to target 14 mRNAs differentially expressed across seasons that regulate serotonin, GABA, and dopamine receptor signaling and inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results identify potential miR-mRNA regulatory networks related to adult neurogenesis and provide opportunities to discover novel genetic control of the diverse biological processes and factors related to the functional incorporation of new neurons to the adult brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Present Address: Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Karin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lent
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Theo K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Bammler
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Present address: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Neurophysique et Physiologie, UMR 8119, Université Paris Descartes, 45, rue des Saints Pères, 75006, Paris, France.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Present address: Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Caras
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Nivretta M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Thatra
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budzillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.|Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Perkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. eliotb@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Eliot A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Brenowitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger