Role of NMNAT2 regulation in cortical primary neurons
Publication Date
July 19, 2019
Creator
Abstract
Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) is a key neuronal maintenance factor which provides potent neuroprotec-tion in several models of neurological disorders. NMNAT2 is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s diseases.
MicroRNAs have emerged as key regulators of biological processes in animals. The microRNA system is part of the cell’s epigenetic arsenal that shapes the formation and tight regulation of gene networks during the establishment and the remodelling of the brain by controlling both levels and translation of messenger RNA. Deregulation of miRNA func-tion is associated with a plethora of human diseases and they are con-sidered a key molecular tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of human diseases. Up to date, NMNAT2 regulation by microRNAs has not been investigated.
Here we investigate NMNAT2 role in axonal growth of primary cortical neurons. Consequently, we identify four putative miRNAs that target NMNAT2 and study their effect on axonal growth and NMNAT2 mRNA expression. We identify miR-129-3p as a regulator of NMNAT2 in cortical neurons as it both limits their axonal length and reduces the mRNA lev-els of NMNAT2.
Understanding microRNA regulation of NMNAT2 can build a strong momentum to encourage studies of miRNAs as molecular tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of NMNAT2 related pathologies as long as mechanistic studies to develop microRNA-targeted therapies.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
MRes
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Life Sciences
eprints ID
56823
UoN Repository URI
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KONSTANTOULAKI_MRes Thesis_4296226.pdf
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Examined. Role of NMNAT2 Regulation in Cortical Primary Neurons
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