Big effects of small RNAs : a review of MicroRNAs in anxiety
Date
2012-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SpringerLink
Abstract
Epigenetic and regulatory elements provide an
additional layer of complexity to the heterogeneity of anxiety
disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small,
noncoding RNAs that have recently drawn interest as epigenetic
modulators of gene expression in psychiatric disorders.
miRNAs elicit their effects by binding to target
messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and hindering translation or
accelerating degradation. Considering their role in neuronal
differentiation and synaptic plasticity, miRNAs have opened
up new investigative avenues in the aetiology and treatment
of anxiety disorders. In this review, we provide a thorough
analysis of miRNAs, their targets and their functions in the
central nervous system (CNS), focusing on their role in
anxiety disorders. The involvement of miRNAs in CNS
functions (such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis
and synaptic and neural plasticity) and their intricate
regulatory role under stressful conditions strongly
support their importance in the aetiology of anxiety disorders.
Furthermore, miRNAs could provide new avenues for
the development of therapeutic targets in anxiety disorders.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://link.springer.com/journal/12035
The original publication is available at http://link.springer.com/journal/12035
Keywords
MicroRNAs, Anxiety disorders, Panic disorder, Posttranscriptional regulation, Small interfering RNA
Citation
Malan-Muller, S., Hemming, S. M. J., & Seedat, S. 2012. Big effects of small RNAs: a review of microRNAs in anxiety, Molecular Neurobiology, doi 10.1007/s12035-012-8374-6.