Abstract
MicroRNAs are members of the non-protein-coding family of RNAs. They serve as regulators of gene expression by modulating the translation and/or stability of messenger RNA targets. The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized the field of cell biology, and has permanently altered the prevailing view of a linear relationship between gene and protein expression. The increased complexity of gene regulation is both exciting and daunting, as emerging evidence supports a pervasive role for microRNAs in virtually every cellular process. This review briefly describes microRNA processing and formation of RNA-induced silencing complexes, with a focus on the role of RNA binding proteins in this process. We also discuss mechanisms for microRNA-mediated regulation of translation, particularly in dendritic spine formation and function, and the role of microRNAs in synaptic plasticity. We then discuss the evidence for altered microRNA function in cognitive brain disorders, and the effect of gene mutations revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis on altered microRNA function and human disease. Further, we present evidence that altered microRNA expression in circulating fluids such as plasma/serum can correlate with, and serve as, novel diagnostic biomarkers of human disease.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26-37 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Volume | 130 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- 3' untranslated region
- Brain disorders
- Dendrite
- Diagnostic marker
- Eukaryotic initiation factor
- Fragile X mental retardation protein
- Human disease
- MicroRNA
- mRNA stability
- Plasticity
- RNA binding protein
- RNA-induced silencing complex
- Single nucleotide polymorphism
- Translation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacology (medical)
Cite this
MicroRNAs : Meta-controllers of gene expression in synaptic activity emerge as genetic and diagnostic markers of human disease. / Ceman, Stephanie; Saugstad, Julie.
In: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 130, No. 1, 04.2011, p. 26-37.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - MicroRNAs
T2 - Meta-controllers of gene expression in synaptic activity emerge as genetic and diagnostic markers of human disease
AU - Ceman, Stephanie
AU - Saugstad, Julie
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - MicroRNAs are members of the non-protein-coding family of RNAs. They serve as regulators of gene expression by modulating the translation and/or stability of messenger RNA targets. The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized the field of cell biology, and has permanently altered the prevailing view of a linear relationship between gene and protein expression. The increased complexity of gene regulation is both exciting and daunting, as emerging evidence supports a pervasive role for microRNAs in virtually every cellular process. This review briefly describes microRNA processing and formation of RNA-induced silencing complexes, with a focus on the role of RNA binding proteins in this process. We also discuss mechanisms for microRNA-mediated regulation of translation, particularly in dendritic spine formation and function, and the role of microRNAs in synaptic plasticity. We then discuss the evidence for altered microRNA function in cognitive brain disorders, and the effect of gene mutations revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis on altered microRNA function and human disease. Further, we present evidence that altered microRNA expression in circulating fluids such as plasma/serum can correlate with, and serve as, novel diagnostic biomarkers of human disease.
AB - MicroRNAs are members of the non-protein-coding family of RNAs. They serve as regulators of gene expression by modulating the translation and/or stability of messenger RNA targets. The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized the field of cell biology, and has permanently altered the prevailing view of a linear relationship between gene and protein expression. The increased complexity of gene regulation is both exciting and daunting, as emerging evidence supports a pervasive role for microRNAs in virtually every cellular process. This review briefly describes microRNA processing and formation of RNA-induced silencing complexes, with a focus on the role of RNA binding proteins in this process. We also discuss mechanisms for microRNA-mediated regulation of translation, particularly in dendritic spine formation and function, and the role of microRNAs in synaptic plasticity. We then discuss the evidence for altered microRNA function in cognitive brain disorders, and the effect of gene mutations revealed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis on altered microRNA function and human disease. Further, we present evidence that altered microRNA expression in circulating fluids such as plasma/serum can correlate with, and serve as, novel diagnostic biomarkers of human disease.
KW - 3' untranslated region
KW - Brain disorders
KW - Dendrite
KW - Diagnostic marker
KW - Eukaryotic initiation factor
KW - Fragile X mental retardation protein
KW - Human disease
KW - MicroRNA
KW - mRNA stability
KW - Plasticity
KW - RNA binding protein
KW - RNA-induced silencing complex
KW - Single nucleotide polymorphism
KW - Translation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79951850975&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79951850975&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.01.004
DO - 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.01.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 21256154
AN - SCOPUS:79951850975
VL - 130
SP - 26
EP - 37
JO - Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Pharmacology and Therapeutics
SN - 0163-7258
IS - 1
ER -