Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
J Neurosci Res. 2012 Jan;90(1):1-12. doi: 10.1002/jnr.22701. Epub 2011 Sep 15.
Gene expression regulation is essential for correct functioning of the cell. Complex processes such as development, apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell cycling require a fine tuning of gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that have been recognized as key components of the gene expression regulatory machinery. By sequence complementarity, miRNAs recognize target mRNAs and inhibit their function through degradation or by repressing their translation. The development of the central nervous system (CNS) requires precise and exquisitely regulated gene expression patterns. It is now widely recognized that miRNAs have the capacity to provide such fine regulation both in time and in space. High-throughput analyses as well as classical molecular biology approaches have allowed the identification of essential miRNAs for CNS development and function. Moreover, recent studies in several model organisms are beginning to show intricate regulatory networks involving miRNAs, transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators during CNS development. Here we review recent findings on the role that miRNAs play in the development of the CNS as well as in neuropathologies such as schizophrenia, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer's disease, among others.
基因表达调控对于细胞的正常功能至关重要。复杂的过程，如发育、细胞凋亡、细胞分化和细胞周期，需要精细地调节基因表达。微小 RNA（miRNA）是一种小 RNA，已被认为是基因表达调控机制的关键组成部分。通过序列互补性，miRNA 识别靶 mRNA 并通过降解或抑制其翻译来抑制其功能。中枢神经系统（CNS）的发育需要精确和高度调控的基因表达模式。现在已经广泛认识到，miRNA 具有在时间和空间上提供这种精细调节的能力。高通量分析以及经典的分子生物学方法已经允许鉴定对 CNS 发育和功能至关重要的 miRNA。此外，在几种模式生物中的最近研究开始显示涉及 miRNA、转录因子和表观遗传调节剂的复杂调控网络在 CNS 发育过程中。本文综述了 miRNA 在 CNS 发育以及精神分裂症、帕金森病和阿尔茨海默病等神经病理学中的作用的最新发现。
