AI Article Synopsis
- Scientists found that tiny molecules called microRNAs help control how well brain cells communicate with each other.
- A specific microRNA named miR-1000 in fruit flies affects the release of a brain chemical called glutamate, which is important for sending signals between neurons.
- When miR-1000 was removed, it caused brain cell death because too much glutamate was released, showing that these microRNAs play a protective role in the brain for both fruit flies and mice.
Article Abstract
Evidence has begun to emerge for microRNAs as regulators of synaptic signaling, specifically acting to control postsynaptic responsiveness during synaptic transmission. In this report, we provide evidence that Drosophila melanogaster miR-1000 acts presynaptically to regulate glutamate release at the synapse by controlling expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut). Genetic deletion of miR-1000 led to elevated apoptosis in the brain as a result of glutamatergic excitotoxicity. The seed-similar miR-137 regulated VGluT2 expression in mouse neurons. These conserved miRNAs share a neuroprotective function in the brains of flies and mice. Drosophila miR-1000 showed activity-dependent expression, which might serve as a mechanism to allow neuronal activity to fine-tune the strength of excitatory synaptic transmission.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn.3935 | DOI Listing |
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