Biochemical and genetic interaction between the fragile X mental retardation protein and the microRNA pathway

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Jin ◽  
Daniela C Zarnescu ◽  
Stephanie Ceman ◽  
Mika Nakamoto ◽  
Julie Mowrey ◽  
...  
2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abrar Qurashi ◽  
Shuang Chang ◽  
Peng Jin

Deficits in cognitive functions lead to mental retardation (MR). Understanding the genetic basis of inherited MR has provided insights into the pathogenesis of MR. Fragile X syndrome is one of the most common forms of inherited MR, caused by the loss of functional Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP).MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, single-stranded RNAs between 18 and 25 nucleotides in length, which have been implicated in diversified biological pathways. Recent studies have linked the miRNA pathway to fragile X syndrome. Here we review the role of the miRNA pathway in fragile X syndrome and discuss its implication in MR in general.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Jong Bok Seo ◽  
Hyo-Min Ahn ◽  
Young Ho Koh

We investigated unknownin vivofunctions of Torsin by usingDrosophilaas a model. Downregulation ofDrosophilaTorsin (DTor) by DTor-specific inhibitory double-stranded RNA (RNAi) induced abnormal locomotor behavior and increased susceptibility to H2O2. In addition, altered expression of DTor significantly increased the numbers of synaptic boutons. One important biochemical consequence of DTor-RNAi expression in fly brains was upregulation of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Altered expression of ADH has also been reported inDrosophilaFragile-X mental retardation protein (DFMRP) mutant flies. Interestingly, expression of DFMRP was altered in DTor mutant flies, and DTor and DFMRP were present in the same protein complexes. In addition, DTor and DFMRP immunoreactivities were partially colocalized in several cellular organelles in larval muscles. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between synaptic morphologies ofdfmrpnull mutants anddfmrpmutants expressing DTor-RNAi. Taken together, our evidences suggested that DTor and DFMRP might be present in the same signaling pathway regulating synaptic plasticity. In addition, we also found that human Torsin1A and human FMRP were present in the same protein complexes, suggesting that this phenomenon is evolutionarily conserved.


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