Abstract
ObjectiveMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously expressed noncoding RNA molecules that are believed to regulate multiple neurobiological processes. Expression studies have revealed distinct temporal expression patterns in the developing rodent and porcine brain, but comprehensive profiling in the developing human brain has not been previously reported.MethodsWe performed microarray and TaqMan-based expression analysis of all annotated mature miRNAs (miRBase 10.0) as well as 373 novel, predicted miRNAs. Expression levels were measured in 48 post-mortem brain tissue samples, representing gestational ages 14–24 weeks, as well as early postnatal and adult time points.ResultsExpression levels of 312 miRNAs changed significantly between at least two of the broad age categories, defined as fetal, young, and adult.ConclusionsWe have constructed a miRNA expression atlas of the developing human brain, and we propose a classification scheme to guide future studies of neurobiological function.
Highlights
MicroRNAs form a growing class of endogenous non-coding RNA molecules that modulate gene expression posttranscriptionally
We have constructed a miRNA expression atlas of the developing human brain, and we propose a classification scheme to guide future studies of neurobiological function
An increase in the number of miRNAs strongly correlates with greater organismal complexity [1]. miRNAs form elaborate and sophisticated regulatory networks, where a given miRNA can influence the stability or translatability of hundreds of mRNA targets [2], and numerous miRNAs can act in concert to repress a common target
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) form a growing class of endogenous non-coding RNA molecules that modulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. An increase in the number of miRNAs strongly correlates with greater organismal complexity [1]. MiRNAs form elaborate and sophisticated regulatory networks, where a given miRNA can influence the stability or translatability of hundreds of mRNA targets [2], and numerous miRNAs can act in concert to repress a common target. While transcription factors act as ‘‘switches’’ to initiate broad developmental transitions, miRNAs may act downstream to finetune genetic regulatory programs. Generation of cellular diversity during mammalian brain development requires precise coordination of gene regulatory networks, with integral involvement of miRNAs. Lineage-specific expression signatures of cultured astrocytes and neurons [4]
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