miR-9 and miR-124 synergistically affect regulation of dendritic branching via the AKT/GSK3β pathway by targeting Rap2a

Sci Rep. 2016 May 25:6:26781. doi: 10.1038/srep26781.

Abstract

A single microRNA (miRNA) can regulate expression of multiple proteins, and expression of an individual protein may be controlled by numerous miRNAs. This regulatory pattern strongly suggests that synergistic effects of miRNAs play critical roles in regulating biological processes. miR-9 and miR-124, two of the most abundant miRNAs in the mammalian nervous system, have important functions in neuronal development. In this study, we identified the small GTP-binding protein Rap2a as a common target of both miR-9 and miR-124. miR-9 and miR-124 together, but neither miRNA alone, strongly suppressed Rap2a, thereby promoting neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and dendritic branching of differentiated neurons. Rap2a also diminished the dendritic complexity of mature neurons by decreasing the levels of pAKT and pGSK3β. Our results reveal a novel pathway in which miR-9 and miR-124 synergistically repress expression of Rap2a to sustain homeostatic dendritic complexity during neuronal development and maturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Animals
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / physiology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology
  • Neurogenesis / genetics*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / physiology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MIRN9 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn124 microRNA, mouse
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Rap2a protein, mouse
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins