MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional regulators and play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases and brain disorders (Nelson et al. 2008). MiR-21, a miRNA that is dysregulated in cancers including glioblastomas, targets cellular processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis (Krichevsky & Gabriely 2009). MiR-21 has been shown to be upregulated following traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury; this upregulation has been postulated to reduce lesion size, enhance cell survival and confer better neurological outcome (Ge et al. 2014; Hu et al. 2013). Due to its effects on cell proliferation and survival, miR-21 was speculated to play a role in adult neurogenesis in the mammalian brain. The effect of altering miR-21 levels on the cell fate of newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus was investigated using transgenic mice that globally either overexpress miR-21 (miR-21 OE) or lack miR-21 (miR-21 KO). First, increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of miR-21 OE mice was detected, while miR-21 KO mice showed reduced neurogenesis in the same area. Transgenic mice lacking miR-21 (miR-21 KO) demonstrated impairment in learning and memory in the Morris water maze task. Mir-21 KO mice also showed reduced neurogenesis in the subventricular zone. To further understand the pathways that are involved in miR-21 regulation in the adult brain, miR-21 targets were investigated experimentally and using bioinformatics prediction tools. These results suggest that miR-21 plays an important role in regulating adult neurogenesis and learning behaviour. Overall, this is the first study to investigate miR-21 altered expression role in the adult normal brain. Linking miR-21 role in this study to increased miR-21 levels in the brain and spinal cord after injury, will help to identify possible therapeutic strategies for treating traumatic injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.
Date of Award | 25 Sep 2018 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | - The University of Bristol
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Supervisor | Liang-Fong Wong (Supervisor) & James B Uney (Supervisor) |
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Investigating the role of miR-21 in adult neurogenesis
Al Ahdal, H. (Author). 25 Sep 2018
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)