New insights into the regulatory roles of microRNAs in adult neurogenesis

Abstract

Adult neurogenesis, the process of generation of new functional neurons from neural stem cells, occurs in the subventricular zone and the subgranular zone neurogenic niches. This neurogenic process is tightly controlled by several intrinsic factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, which control protein translation. MiRNAs have emerged as important regulators of both embryonic and adult neural stem cells self-renewal and proliferation, neuronal differentiation, migration, maturation and integration into the complex neuronal circuitry. Herein, we will provide a review of the most prominent and recent findings underlying the physiological regulatory role of several miRNAs during adult neurogenesis.