MicroRNAs as a molecular basis for mental retardation, Alzheimer's and prion diseases

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, ~21-to 23-nucleotide (nt) non-coding RNA species that act as key regulators of gene expression along a central and well-defined cellular process known as RNA silencing, and involving the recognition and translational control of specific messenger RNA (mRNAs). Generated through the well-orchestrated and sequential processing of miRNA precursor molecules, mature miRNAs are subsequently incorporated into miRNA-containing ribonucleoprotein effector complexes to regulate mRNA translation through the recognition of specific binding sites of imperfect complementarity located mainly in the 3′ untranslated region. Predicted to regulate up to 90% of the genes in humans, miRNAs may thus control cellular processes in all cells and tissues of the human body. Likely to play a central role in health and disease, a dysfunctional miRNA-based regulation of gene expression may represent the main etiologic factor underlying diseases affecting major organs, such as the brain. In this review article, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role and function of miRNAs in the regulation of genes involved in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed, with a focus on the fragile X syndrome, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and prion disease.

Microdeletion and microduplication 17q21.31 plus an additional CNV, in patients with intellectual disability, identified by array-CGH

“…org). miRNAs are known to regulate up to 90% of genes in humans and a dysfunctional miRNA-based regulation of gene expression may represent the etiological basis underlying ID, neurodegenerative and neurological diseases (Bandiera et al, 2010;Provost, 2010). The second aberration of case 1 involves the Xq21.31 chromosomal region containing the PCDH11X gene, which belongs to the protocadherin gene family and is located in a major X/Y block of homology.…”

Epigenetic Treatments for Cognitive Impairments

“…Further implicating a role for microRNAs in psychiatric diseases, recent evidence has revealed that Alzheimer's Disease is associated with a altered expression of several microRNAs, some of which interact with the amyloid precursor protein's cleavage machinery, which has long been associated with this disease (Provost, 2010). Similarly, in an animal model of drug addiction, prolonged experience with cocaine self-administration dramatically increased expression of miR-212 in the striatum (Hollander et al, 2010).…”

Atrial Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation and Some Related MicroRNAs

“…miRNAs have been demonstrated to play important roles in diverse fundamental biological processes, including cell growth, cell death, cell differentiation, development and ageing [66,67,68]. They have also been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, such as cancer, heart disease (myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy/heart failure, arrhythmogenesis and AF) and Alzheimer’s disease [69,70,71,72,73,74,75]. According to the results reported by Liang et al [76], the 20 most abundant miRNAs in the human heart are miR-1, miR-133a/b, miR-16, miR-100, miR-125a/b, miR-126, miR-145, miR-195, miR-199*, miR-20a/b, miR-21, miR-26a/b, miR-24, miR-23, miR-29a/b, miR-27a/b, miR-30a/b/c, miR-92a/b, miR-99 and let-7a/c/f/g, which has been verified by Wang et al [72].…”