Regulation of the mammalian nervous system by MicroRNAs

Abstract

The mammalian nervous system exerts essential control on many physiological processes in the organism and is itself controlled extensively by a variety of genetic regulatory mechanisms. MicroRNAs, a class of small, noncoding RNAs, are critical contributors to the regulation of gene expression in the nervous system. Emerging evidence indicates that microRNAs regulate both the development and function of the nervous system. Deficiency in microRNA function has also been implicated in a number of neurological disorders. Understanding the roles of microRNAs will provide new insights into the complexity and operation of the nervous system. Copyright © 2009 The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.