Music-listening regulates human microRNA expression

Abstract

Music-listening and performance have been shown to affect human gene expression. In order to further elucidate the biological basis of the effects of music on the human body, we studied the effects of music-listening on gene regulation by sequencing microRNAs of the listeners (Music Group) and their controls (Control Group) without music exposure. We identified upregulation of six microRNAs (hsa-miR-132-3p, hsa-miR-361-5p, hsa-miR-421, hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-23b-3p, hsa-miR-25-3p) and downregulation of two microRNAs (hsa-miR-378a-3p, hsa-miR-16-2-3p) in Music Group with high musical aptitude. Some upregulated microRNAs were reported to be responsive to neuronal activity (miR-132, miR-23a, miR-23b) and modulators of neuronal plasticity, CNS myelination and cognitive functions like long-term potentiation and memory. miR-132 plays a critical role in regulating TAU protein levels and is important for preventing tau protein aggregation that causes Alzheimer's disease. miR-132 and DICER, upregulated after musiclistening, protect dopaminergic neurons and are important for retaining striatal dopamine levels. Some of the transcriptional regulators (FOS, CREB1, JUN, EGR1 and BDNF) of the upregulated microRNAs were immediate early genes and top candidates associated with musical traits. BDNF and SNCA, co-expressed and upregulated in music-listening and music-performance, are both are activated by GATA2, which is associated with musical aptitude. Several miRNAs were associated with song-learning, singing and seasonal plasticity networks in songbirds. We did not detect any significant changes in microRNA expressions associated with music education or low musical 2 aptitude. Our data thereby show the importance of inherent musical aptitude for music appreciation and for eliciting the human microRNA response to music-listening.

Putting Cells in Motion: Advantages of Endogenous Boosting of BDNF Production

“…Hence, the authors put forward the hypothesis that the periodic rhythm lasting like a physiological cycle (20–30 s) might explain the neuroplastic and behavioral benefits from music listening. Further research is needed to explore this hypothesis [ 159 , 160 ].…”

“…Thus far, only two studies [ 137 , 161 ] have measured BDNF levels in humans after musical activities, compared with at least 29 studies showing BDNF modulation after sport practice (as reported by the meta-analysis dated back to 2015 [ 5 ]). On the other hand, genetic research demonstrates a relation between BDNF and music functions in humans with BDNF-related gene mutations associated with musical abilities [ 159 ], as well as increased BDNF microRNA transcription after a concert performance of professional ensemble musicians [ 162 ], or even simply after listening to 20 min of the violin concerto K. 216 by Mozart [ 160 ] (to note, these BDNF gene modulations were found in association with music functions, along with several other genes related to auditory system functions, affiliation, and neuronal development). Thus, future research is called for to better investigate this topic, and here we wish to provide some ideas that such research should pursue.…”

Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music

“…Of note, there is overlap between the results of microRNAs and those of genes differentially expressed; in particular, some of these genes are target of the miRNAs with differential expression, both regarding the conditions of music performance and listening to music. In this body of research, samples of peripheral whole blood were used, as its transcriptome is shared for more than 80% with other tissues, including the brain which is inaccessible [148][149][150][151]. It has been verified that, for professional musicians, a concert of two hours induces a differential expression of 73 genes, involving both upregulation (51 genes) and downregulation (22 genes) [127].…”

Chinese Arts-Based Psycho-Oncology: A Translational Systemic Meta-Synthetic Perspective

“…The cultural and epigenetic systems of heritage may thus provide the "missing" heritability of complex diseases that is currently the subject of much scientific discourse'. Although music-epigenetics is still a fairly undiscovered field, Brigati [51] pointed out that music is a highly transmissible cultural product and social epigenetics describe how communication and emotion -'prime hallmarks of music' -can be linked to a transmissible, biochemical change, and recent epigenetic studies [52] showed that music listening regulates human microRNA expression.…”

“…Taking Daoistic views of permanent changes, which also concern music and the psyche, into account and merge them with epigenetic considerations about the influence of music on gene expression, e.g. that listening to music regulates human microRNA-expression [56], there are good reasons to assume complex dynamic functions of music in oncology and to suggest related translational research. In this context we also draw attention to the fact that miR-132, which belongs to the 'music-sensitive' microRNAs, plays a critical role in regulating TAU protein levels, hence its importance for preventing TAU protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease.…”