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Di Liegro CM, Schiera G, Schirò G, Di Liegro I. Role of Post-Transcriptional Regulation in Learning and Memory in Mammals. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:337. [PMID: 38540396 PMCID: PMC10970538 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
After many decades, during which most molecular studies on the regulation of gene expression focused on transcriptional events, it was realized that post-transcriptional control was equally important in order to determine where and when specific proteins were to be synthesized. Translational regulation is of the most importance in the brain, where all the steps of mRNA maturation, transport to different regions of the cells and actual expression, in response to specific signals, constitute the molecular basis for neuronal plasticity and, as a consequence, for structural stabilization/modification of synapses; notably, these latter events are fundamental for the highest brain functions, such as learning and memory, and are characterized by long-term potentiation (LTP) of specific synapses. Here, we will discuss the molecular bases of these fundamental events by considering both the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and the effects of non-coding RNAs involved in controlling splicing, editing, stability and translation of mRNAs. Importantly, it has also been found that dysregulation of mRNA metabolism/localization is involved in many pathological conditions, arising either during brain development or in the adult nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Maria Di Liegro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.D.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Gabriella Schiera
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.D.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Schirò
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
- Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC), Foundation Institute “G. Giglio”, 90015 Cefalù, Italy
| | - Italia Di Liegro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
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Dell’Orco M, Elyaderani A, Vannan A, Sekar S, Powell G, Liang WS, Neisewander JL, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. HuD Regulates mRNA-circRNA-miRNA Networks in the Mouse Striatum Linked to Neuronal Development and Drug Addiction. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090939. [PMID: 34571817 PMCID: PMC8468275 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Gene expression controls all aspects of life, including that of humans. Genes are expressed by copying the information stored in the DNA into RNA molecules, and this process is regulated in part by multiple RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). One such protein, HuD, plays a critical role in the development of neurons and has been implicated in childhood brain tumors, neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS), and drug abuse. In addition, HuD participates in neuronal remodeling mechanisms in the mature brain and promotes regeneration of peripheral nerves. HuD primarily binds to transcribed messenger RNAs, which are then stabilized for translation into proteins. However, recent studies demonstrate that HuD also regulates the expression of non-coding RNAs, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we examined the role of HuD in the control of non-coding RNA expression in the mouse striatum, a brain region associated both with normal behaviors and pathological conditions such as drug abuse. Our results show that HuD regulates mRNA-circRNA-miRNA networks involved in the expression of genes associated with brain development and remodeling of neuronal connections. These findings suggest the possibility of new mechanisms controlling brain development, neurodegenerative diseases, and substance use disorders. Abstract The RNA-binding protein HuD (a.k.a., ELAVL4) is involved in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity mechanisms, including addiction-related processes such as cocaine conditioned-place preference (CPP) and food reward. The most studied function of this protein is mRNA stabilization; however, we have recently shown that HuD also regulates the levels of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in neurons. To examine the role of HuD in the control of coding and non-coding RNA networks associated with substance use, we identified sets of differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs in the striatum of HuD knockout (KO) mice. Our findings indicate that significantly downregulated mRNAs are enriched in biological pathways related to cell morphology and behavior. Furthermore, deletion of HuD altered the levels of 15 miRNAs associated with drug seeking. Using these sets of data, we predicted that a large number of upregulated miRNAs form competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks with circRNAs and mRNAs associated with the neuronal development and synaptic plasticity proteins LSAMP and MARK3. Additionally, several downregulated miRNAs form ceRNA networks with mRNAs and circRNAs from MEF2D, PIK3R3, PTRPM and other neuronal proteins. Together, our results indicate that HuD regulates ceRNA networks controlling the levels of mRNAs associated with neuronal differentiation and synaptic physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Dell’Orco
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Amir Elyaderani
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Annika Vannan
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Shobana Sekar
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Gregory Powell
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Winnie S. Liang
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N. Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; (A.E.); (S.S.); (W.S.L.)
| | - Janet L. Neisewander
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (A.V.); (G.P.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Nora I. Perrone-Bizzozero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
- Correspondence:
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Olguin SL, Zimmerman A, Zhang H, Allan A, Caldwell KC, Brigman JL. Increased Maternal Care Rescues Altered Reinstatement Responding Following Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:1949-1956. [PMID: 31318985 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) commonly include deficits in learning, memory, and executive control that can have a severe negative impact on quality of life across the life span. It is still unclear how prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects executive control processes, such as control over reward seeking, that lead to inappropriate behavior later in life. Learning and reinstatement of a previously learned response after extinction is a simple, well-validated measure of both acquisition of a rewarded instrumental response and sensitivity to reward and reward-associated cues. We investigated the effects of PAE on learning, extinction, and reinstatement of a simple instrumental response for food reward. Next, we assessed the effectiveness of an early intervention, communal nest (CN) housing, on increased reinstatement of an extinguished response seen after PAE. METHODS To assess the effects of PAE on control over reward seeking, we tested male and female PAE and saccharine (SAC) controls raised in a standard nest (SN) on the acquisition, extinction, and food reward-induced reinstatement of an instrumental response utilizing a touch screen-based paradigm. Next, in order to examine the effects of an early-life intervention on these behaviors, we tested PAE and SAC mice raised in a CN early-life environment on these behaviors. RESULTS PAE mice readily acquired and extinguished a simple touch response to a white square stimulus. However, PAE mice showed significantly increased and persistent reinstatement compared to controls. Increased maternal care via rearing in CN slowed acquisition and sped extinction learning and rescued the significantly increased reinstatement responding in PAE mice. CONCLUSIONS Together these results demonstrate that even moderate PAE is sufficient to alter control over reward seeking as measured by reinstatement. Importantly, an early-life intervention previously shown to improve cognitive outcomes in PAE mice was sufficient to ameliorate this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Olguin
- Department of Neurosciences, (SLO, AZ, AA, KCC, JLB), University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, (SLO, AA, KCC, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Amber Zimmerman
- Department of Neurosciences, (SLO, AZ, AA, KCC, JLB), University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Haikun Zhang
- Center for Brain Repair and Recovery, (HZ, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Andrea Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, (SLO, AZ, AA, KCC, JLB), University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, (SLO, AA, KCC, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Kevin C Caldwell
- Department of Neurosciences, (SLO, AZ, AA, KCC, JLB), University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, (SLO, AA, KCC, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Jonathan L Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, (SLO, AZ, AA, KCC, JLB), University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, (SLO, AA, KCC, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,Center for Brain Repair and Recovery, (HZ, JLB), UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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