Derepression of a neuronal inhibitor due to miRNA dysregulation in a schizophrenia-related microdeletion

Cell. 2013 Jan 17;152(1-2):262-75. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.11.052.

Abstract

22q11.2 microdeletions result in specific cognitive deficits and schizophrenia. Analysis of Df(16)A(+/-) mice, which model this microdeletion, revealed abnormalities in the formation of neuronal dendrites and spines, as well as altered brain microRNAs. Here, we show a drastic reduction of miR-185, which resides within the 22q11.2 locus, to levels more than expected by a hemizygous deletion, and we demonstrate that this reduction alters dendritic and spine development. miR-185 represses, through an evolutionarily conserved target site, a previously unknown inhibitor of these processes that resides in the Golgi apparatus and shows higher prenatal brain expression. Sustained derepression of this inhibitor after birth represents the most robust transcriptional disturbance in the brains of Df(16)A(+/-) mice and results in structural alterations in the hippocampus. Reduction of miR-185 also has milder age- and region-specific effects on the expression of some Golgi-related genes. Our findings illuminate the contribution of microRNAs in psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism*
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Dgcr8 protein, mouse
  • EMC10 protein, human
  • Emc10 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn185 microRNA, mouse
  • Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Supplementary concepts

  • Chromosome 22, microdeletion 22 q11

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE29767