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Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved noncoding RNAs that function as
posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. miR-9 is one of the
most abundant miRNAs in the brain. Although the function of miR-9 has
been well characterized in neural progenitors, its role in dendritic and
synaptic development remains largely unknown. In order to target miR-9
in vivo, we developed a transgenic miRNA sponge mouse line allowing
conditional inactivation of the miR-9 family in a
spatio-temporal-controlled manner. Using this novel approach, we found
that miR-9 controls dendritic growth and synaptic transmission in vivo.
Furthermore, we demonstrate that miR-9-mediated downregulation of the
transcriptional repressor REST is essential for proper dendritic growth.
