Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Regulation of Neurodevelopment by miR-124

Abstract

miR-124 is a miRNA predominantly expressed in the nervous system and accounts for more than a quarter of the total miRNAs in the brain. It regulates neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, neuronal maturation, and synapse formation and is the most important miRNA in the brain. Furthermore, emerging evidence has suggested miR-124 may be associated with the pathogenesis of various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we provide an overview of the role of miR-124 in neurodevelopment and the underling mechanisms, and finally, we prospect the significance of miR-124 research to the field of neuroscience.

Keywords: Neural progenitor cells; Neuronal development; Neurons; Post-transcriptional gene regulation; miR-124.