3. Hormonal Regulation of Gene Expression in the Brain

Epitranscriptomics, a recently emerged field to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression through enzyme-mediated RNA modifications, is rapidly evolving and integrating with neuroscience. Using a rich repertoire of modified nucleosides and strategically positioning them to the functionally important and evolutionarily conserved regions of the RNA, epitranscriptomics dictates RNA-mediated cell function. The new field is quickly changing our view of the genetic geography in the brain during development and plasticity, impacting major functions from cortical neurogenesis, circadian rhythm, learning and memory, to reward, addiction, stress, stroke, and spinal injury, etc. Thus understanding the molecular components and operational rules of this pathway is becoming a key for us to decipher the genetic code for brain development, function, and disease. What RNA modifications are expressed in the brain? What RNAs carry them and rely on them for function? Are they dynamically regulated? How are they regulated and how do they contribute to gene expression regulation and brain function? This chapter summarizes recent advances that are beginning to answer these questions.

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Transient paralysis by heat shock of hormonal regulation of gene expression.

The EMBO Journal ◽

10.1002/j.1460-2075.1984.tb02207.x ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 3 (12) ◽

pp. 2763-2770 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

A.P. Wolffe ◽

A.J. Perlman ◽

J.R. Tata

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Hormonal Regulation ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Transient Paralysis

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Unraveling of Central Nervous System Disease Mechanisms Using CRISPR Genome Manipulation

Journal of Central Nervous System Disease ◽

10.1177/1179573518787469 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 117957351878746 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Aino Vesikansa

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Central Nervous System Disease ◽

Brain Diseases ◽

Biological Research ◽

Cns Diseases ◽

The Brain

The complex structure and highly variable gene expression profile of the brain makes it among the most challenging fields to study in both basic and translational biological research. Most of the brain diseases are multifactorial and despite the rapidly increasing genomic data, molecular pathways and causal links between genes and central nervous system (CNS) diseases are largely unknown. The advent of an easy and flexible CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology has rapidly revolutionized the field of functional genomics and opened unprecedented possibilities to dissect the mechanisms of CNS disease. CRISPR-Cas allows a plenitude of applications for both gene-focused and genome-wide approaches, ranging from original “gene scissors” making permanent modifications in the genome to the regulation of gene expression and epigenetics. CRISPR technology provides a unique opportunity to establish new cellular and animal models of CNS diseases and holds potential for breakthroughs in the CNS research and drug development.

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