MicroRNA let-7d regulates the TLX/microRNA-9 cascade to control neural cell fate and neurogenesis

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1329. doi: 10.1038/srep01329.

Abstract

MicroRNAs have important functions in the nervous system through post-transcriptional regulation of neurogenesis genes. Here we show that microRNA let-7d, which has been implicated in cocaine addiction and other neurological disorders, targets the neural stem cell regulator TLX. Overexpression of let-7d in vivo reduced neural stem cell proliferation and promoted premature neuronal differentiation and migration, a phenotype similar to those induced by TLX knockdown or overexpression of its negatively-regulated target, microRNA-9. We found a let-7d binding sequence in the tlx 3' UTR and demonstrated that let-7d reduced TLX expression levels in neural stem cells, which in turn, up-regulated miR-9 expression. Moreover, co-expression of let-7d and TLX lacking its 3' UTR in vivo restored neural stem cell proliferation and reversed the premature neuronal differentiation and migration. Therefore, manipulating let-7d and its downstream targets could be a novel strategy to unravel neurogenic signaling pathways and identify potential interventions for relevant neurological disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dogs
  • Isoantigens / genetics
  • Isoantigens / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology
  • Neural Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neurogenesis*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Isoantigens
  • MIRN9 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, mouse
  • trophoblast-lymphocyte cross-reactive antigens