MicroRNAs and cell coupling interplay in the development, adaptation and degeneration of the nervous system

• Grant number: 14/16711-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
• Grantee: Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
• Host Institution: Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) that regulate protein translation. These molecules are typically composed by 20 nucleotides that when aligned with a target mRNA decrease translation rates by several mechanisms. Thus, miRNAs play important roles in the control of the transcriptome in various tissues including the nervous system. In fact, the complexity of the nervous system is not solely related to the programming and activity of individual neurons, but with the established communication between them. Besides the well- studied chemical synapses, signaling in the nervous system can occur by direct coupling between cells via gap junction channels (GJ). These channels allow the passage of molecules up to 1 kDa and are comprised of protein subunits called connexins (Cx). One possibility poorly explored in cellular communication is the exchange of genetic material between cells. Recent reports in the literature have reported that some classes of ncRNAs could mediate this communication as circular RNA (cRNA) and miRNAs, molecules that could be transferred by exosomes, or even via plasma, cerebrospinal fluid or colostrum. Another mechanism regarding the communication in the nervous system would be the passage of miRNAs by JCs. In this context , we are interested to determine aspects of the biology of miRNAs in the development, adaptation and degeneration of the nervous system, including i ) the regulation of specific miRNAs; ii ) control of the synthesis and stability/degradation of ncRNAs iii ) possible regulation of the transcriptome by the intercellular migration of these molecules. This project has the support of Dr. Jean X. Jiang (Harvard University / University of Texas Health Science Center), Dr. Thomas De Marse and Dr. Brandi Ormerod (University of Florida at Gainesville), Sten Rüdiger (Humboldt University) and groups based in USP, UFMG and INPE as well as post-doctoral fellows, and graduate and undergraduate students engaged with this proposal. Finally, it is important to mention that the support given to this project will serve several research groups at our institution since the research labs at UFABC are multiuser facilities. (AU)

Scientific publications

(7)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RAEISOSSADATI, REZA; MOVIO, MARILIA INES; WALTER, LAIS TAKATA; TAKADA, SILVIA HONDA; DEL DEBBIO, CAROLINA BELTRAME; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Small Molecule GSK-J1 Affects Differentiation of Specific Neuronal Subtypes in Developing Rat Retina. Molecular Neurobiology, v. 56, n. 3, p. 1972-1983, MAR 2019. (17/26439-0, 13/07458-2, 14/16711-6, 15/04495-0)

KINJO, ERIKA REIME; ROYERO RODRIGUEZ, PEDRO XAVIER; DOS SANTOS, BIANCA ARAUJO; VILAR HIGA, GUILHERME SHIGUETO; AYRES FERRAZ, MARIANA SACRINI; SCHMELTZER, CHRISTIAN; RUDIGER, STEN; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. New Insights on Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Based on Plasticity-Related Network Changes and High-Order Statistics. Molecular Neurobiology, v. 55, n. 5, p. 3990-3998, MAY 2018. (11/50151-0, 15/50122-0, 14/16711-6)

PASCHON, VERA; TAKADA, SILVIA HONDA; IKEBARA, JULIANE MIDORI; SOUSA, ERICA; RAEISOSSADATI, REZA; ULRICH, HENNING; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Interplay Between Exosomes, microRNAs and Toll-Like Receptors in Brain Disorders. Molecular Neurobiology, v. 53, n. 3, p. 2016-2028, APR 2016. (14/16711-6)

IKEBARA, JULIANE MIDORI; TAKADA, SILVIA HONDA; CARDOSO, DEBORA STERZECK; MORALLES DIAS, NATALIA MYUKI; VICENTE DE CAMPOS, BEATRIZ CROSSIOL; SANCHES BRETHERICK, TALITHA AMANDA; VILAR HIGA, GUILHERME SHIGUETO; AYRES FERRAZ, MARIANA SACRINI; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Functional Role of Intracellular Calcium Receptor Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Type 1 in Rat Hippocampus after Neonatal Anoxia. PLoS One, v. 12, n. 1, JAN 10 2017. (14/15018-5, 14/16711-6, 15/17044-6, 15/19699-0, 15/19657-5, 14/17434-6)

AYRES FERRAZ, MARIANA SACRINI; CARDEAL MELO-SILVA, HIAGO LUCAS; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Optimizing information processing in neuronal networks beyond critical states. PLoS One, v. 12, n. 9, SEP 18 2017. (15/50122-0, 14/16711-6)

WALTER, LAIS TAKATA; VILAR HIGA, GUILHERME SHIGUETO; IKEBARA, JULIANE MIDORI; VEDOVELLO, DANILA; SALVADOR, FELIPE SCASSI; TAKADA, SILVIA HONDA; KINJO, ERIKA REIME; WHALLEY, BENJAMIN J.; SPERANCA, MARCIA APARECIDA; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Evaluation of Possible Consequences of Zika Virus Infection in the Developing Nervous System. Molecular Neurobiology, v. 55, n. 2, p. 1620-1629, FEB 2018. (14/16711-6)

TAKADA, SILVIA HONDA; IKEBARA, JULIANE MIDORI; DE SOUSA, ERICA; CARDOSO, DEBORA STERZECK; RESENDE, RODRIGO RIBEIRO; ULRICH, HENNING; RUECKL, MARTIN; RUEDIGER, STEN; KIHARA, ALEXANDRE HIROAKI. Determining the Roles of Inositol Trisphosphate Receptors in Neurodegeneration: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on a Complex Topic. Molecular Neurobiology, v. 54, n. 9, p. 6870-6884, NOV 2017. (12/50880-4, 11/50151-0, 15/50122-0, 14/16711-6)