Novel Implications For RNA In Psychiatric Genetics

Abstract

Overall Abstract Over the past few decades our understanding of the complexity of both psychiatric genetics and gene expression has expanded exponentially. It is now understood that multiple genes and various genetic factors contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders. It is also now understood that a variety of non-coding RNA species and RNA-modifying proteins work in concert to modulate gene expression with unexpectedly high levels of nuance. Challenging how we think about gene expression, our awareness of the influence of RNA continues to evolve and build as new non-coding RNA species are discovered, novel functions are attributed to the more characterized non-coding RNAs, and additional interactions between non-coding and coding RNAs are elucidated. The involvement of such RNA based mechanisms in regulating pathways contributing to brain function and disease continues to be uncovered and may provide avenues for critical breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This symposium will explore the implications of a variety of novel RNA contributions to psychiatric illnesses. Each presentation will describe the potential influence of a different RNA mechanism of gene regulation in brain function and disease. Dr. Wright will discuss recent findings for isomiRNA, isoforms of canonical microRNAs, in schizophrenia. Dr. Mellios will present his recent work on circRNA in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr. Perrone-Bizzozero will explore the influence of RNA-binding proteins KSRP and HuD on gene expression in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Finally, Dr. Cairns will describe his work on understanding the influence of coding and non-coding RNA-interaction networks in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, and how they are modulated and perturbed by genomic and epigenetic variation associated with these syndromes. His work suggests that while small non-coding RNA, particularly miRNA, are important, long non-coding RNA may also play a significant role in complex regulatory networks. The topics in this symposium shine light on the additional layers of complexity that RNA biology lends to neurodevelopment and function. The symposium will close with a discussion about how current research in this sphere may influence the trajectory of furthering our understanding of psychiatric disease and our ability to treat and prevent such disorders.