Characterization of small RNAs in aplysia reveals a role for miR-124 in constraining synaptic plasticity through CREB.

Full Abstract

Memory storage and memory-related synaptic plasticity rely on precise spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression. To explore the role of small regulatory RNAs in learning-related synaptic plasticity, we carried out massive parallel sequencing to profile the small RNAs of Aplysia californica. We identified 170 distinct miRNAs, 13 of which were novel and specific to Aplysia. Nine miRNAs were brain enriched, and several of these were rapidly downregulated by transient exposure to serotonin, a modulatory neurotransmitter released during learning. Further characterization of the brain-enriched miRNAs revealed that miR-124, the most abundant and well-conserved brain-specific miRNA, was exclusively present presynaptically in a sensory-motor synapse where it constrains serotonin-induced synaptic facilitation through regulation of the transcriptional factor CREB. We therefore present direct evidence that a modulatory neurotransmitter important for learning can regulate the levels of small RNAs and present a role for miR-124 in long-term plasticity of synapses in the mature nervous system.

Author information

Author/s: Rajasethupathy, Priyamvada (P); Fiumara, Ferdinando (F); Sheridan, Robert (R); Betel, Doron (D); Puthanveettil, Sathyanarayanan V (SV); Russo, James J (JJ); Sander, Chris (C); Tuschl, Thomas (T); Kandel, Eric (E);

Affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Grants: P01 GM073047 (Agency:NIGMS NIH HHS) ; P50 HG002806 (Agency:NHGRI NIH HHS) ; R01 MH075026 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; (Agency:Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuron (Neuron), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 63 (issue 6) : pp 803-17

Dates: Created 2009/09/25; Completed 2009/10/09;

PMID: 19778509, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/9/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Neuron. 2009 Sep 24;63(6):714-6. (PMID: 19778498)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Molecular Biology - methods
Mutation - physiology
Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism
Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects; genetics; physiology
Neurons - drug effects; physiology
Oligonucleotides, Antisense - pharmacology
Protein Binding - drug effects
Serotonin - pharmacology
Synapses - drug effects; physiology
Time Factors
Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein (0) ; Enzyme Inhibitors (0) ; MicroRNAs (0) ; Nerve Tissue Proteins (0) ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense (0) ; Serotonin (50-67-9) ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase (EC 3.1.2.15) ; Kinesin (EC 3.6.1.-)

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