miR-134 is a family of microRNA precursors found in mammals, including humans.[1] MicroRNAs are typically transcribed as ~70 nucleotide precursors and subsequently processed by the Dicer enzyme to give a ~22 nucleotide product.[2] The excised region or, mature product, of the miR-134 precursor is the microRNA mir-134.
miR-134 was one of a number of microRNAs found to be increasingly expressed in schizophrenia.[3]
Functions
miR-134 is a brain-specific microRNA; in rats it is localised specifically in hippocampal neurons and may indirectly regulate synaptic development through antisense pairing with LIMK1 mRNA.[4][5] In the human brain, SIRT1 is thought to mediate CREB protein through miR-134, giving the microRNA a role in higher brain functions such a memory formation.[6]
miR-134 has also been reported to function in mouse embryonic stem cells as part of a complex network regulating their differentiation.[7]
Applications
miR-134 levels in circulating blood could potentially be used as a peripheral biomarker for bipolar disorder.[8]
^Santarelli DM, Beveridge NJ, Tooney PA, et al. (January 2011). "Upregulation of dicer and microRNA expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Brodmann area 46 in schizophrenia". Biological Psychiatry. 69 (2): 180–7. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.030. hdl:1959.13/934011. PMID21111402. S2CID33340677.
^Rong H, Liu TB, Yang KJ, et al. (January 2011). "MicroRNA-134 plasma levels before and after treatment for bipolar mania". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 45 (1): 92–5. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.04.028. PMID20546789.