AUTHOR=Eacker Stephen M., Dawson Ted M., Dawson Valina L.

TITLE=The interplay of microRNA and neuronal activity in health and disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2013.00136

DOI=10.3389/fncel.2013.00136

ISSN=1662-5102

ABSTRACT=<p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small 19–23 nucleotide regulatory RNAs that function by modulating mRNA translation and/or turnover in a sequence-specific fashion. In the nervous system, miRNAs regulate the production of numerous proteins involved in synaptic transmission. In turn, neuronal activity can regulate the production and turnover of miRNA through a variety of mechanisms. In this way, miRNAs and neuronal activity are in a reciprocal homeostatic relationship that balances neuronal function. The miRNA function is critical in pathological states related to overexcitation such as epilepsy and stroke, suggesting miRNA’s potential as a therapeutic target. We review the current literature relating the interplay of miRNA and neuronal activity and provide future directions for defining miRNA’s role in disease.</p>