PUBLICATION

Decrease in levels of the evolutionarily conserved microRNA miR-124 affects oligodendrocyte numbers in Zebrafish, Danio rerio

Authors
Morris, J.K., Chomyk, A., Song, P., Parker, N., Deckard, S., Trapp, B.D., Pimplikar, S.W., Dutta, R.
ID
ZDB-PUB-150711-3
Date
2015
Source
Invertebrate neuroscience : IN   15: 180 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Parker, Nathan, Song, Ping
Keywords
Danio rerio, miR-124, Neuron, Oligodendrocyte
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology*
  • Larva
  • MicroRNAs/genetics
  • MicroRNAs/metabolism*
  • Morpholinos/pharmacology
  • Oligodendroglia/drug effects
  • Oligodendroglia/metabolism*
  • Zebrafish/anatomy & histology*
PubMed
26159098 Full text @ Invert. Neurosci.
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes produce multi-lamellar myelin membranes that surround axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Preservation and generation of myelin are potential therapeutic targets for dysmyelinating and demyelinating diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in oligodendrocyte differentiation and overall CNS development. miR-124 is a well-conserved neuronal miRNA with important roles in neuronal differentiation and function. miR-124 levels increase following loss of myelin in both human and rodent brains. While the role of neuronal miR-124 in neurogenesis has been established, its effects on axonal outgrowth and oligodendrocytes are not currently known. We therefore explored the possible effect of selective knockdown of miR-124 in Danio rerio using a morpholino-based knockdown approach. No morphological abnormalities or loss of motor neurons were detected despite loss of axonal outgrowth. Morpholino-based knockdown of miR-124 led to reciprocal increases in mRNA levels of target genes that inhibit axonal and dendritic projections. Importantly, loss of miR-124 led to decreased oligodendrocyte cell numbers and myelination of axonal projections in the ventral hindbrain. Taken together, our results add a new dimension to the existing complexity of neuron-glial relationships and highlight the utility of Danio rerio as a model system to investigate such interactions.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping