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Article
The Path to MicroRNA Therapeutics in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Frontiers in Genetics (2012)
  • Anthony W. S. Chan, Emory University
  • Jannet Kocerha, Georgia Southern University
Abstract

The microRNA (miRNA) class of non-coding RNAs exhibit a diverse range of regulatory roles in neuronal functions that are conserved from lower vertebrates to primates. Disruption of miRNA expression has compellingly been linked to pathogenesis in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism. The list of transcript targets governed by a single miRNA provide a molecular paradigm applicable for therapeutic intervention. Indeed, reports have shown that specific manipulation of a miRNA in cell or animal models can significantly alter phenotypes linked with neurological disease. Here, we review how a diverse range of biological systems, including Drosophila, rodents, and primates such as monkeys and humans, can be integrated into the translation of miRNAs as novel clinical targets.

Keywords
  • MicroRNAs,
  • Psychiatric,
  • Neurodegeneration,
  • Non-Coding RNA,
  • Therapeutics,
  • Schizophrenia
Publication Date
May 17, 2012
Publisher Statement
© 2012 Chan and Kocerha. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License, which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in other forums, provided the original authors and source are credited. Article originally published and obtained from Frontiers in Genetics.
Citation Information
Anthony W. S. Chan and Jannet Kocerha. "The Path to MicroRNA Therapeutics in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders" Frontiers in Genetics 3.82 (2012).
doi:10.3389/fgene.2012.00082
source:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2012.00082/full
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jannet_kocerha/9