microRNA Modulation of Circadian-Clock Period and Entrainment

Hai Ying M. Cheng, Joseph W. Papp, Olga Varlamova, Heather Dziema, Brandon Russell, John P. Curfman, Takanobu Nakazawa, Kimiko Shimizu, Hitoshi Okamura, Soren Impey, Karl Obrietan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

483 Scopus citations

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNAs that regulate the stability or translation of mRNA transcripts. Although recent work has implicated miRNAs in development and in disease, the expression and function of miRNAs in the adult mammalian nervous system have not been extensively characterized. Here, we examine the role of two brain-specific miRNAs, miR-219 and miR-132, in modulating the circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. miR-219 is a target of the CLOCK and BMAL1 complex, exhibits robust circadian rhythms of expression, and the in vivo knockdown of miR-219 lengthens the circadian period. miR-132 is induced by photic entrainment cues via a MAPK/CREB-dependent mechanism, modulates clock-gene expression, and attenuates the entraining effects of light. Collectively, these data reveal miRNAs as clock- and light-regulated genes and provide a mechanistic examination of their roles as effectors of pacemaker activity and entrainment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)813-829
Number of pages17
JournalNeuron
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 7 2007

Keywords

  • MOLNEURO
  • SIGNALING
  • SYSNEURO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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