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MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...

MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

MicroRNA Expression Profiles of Human iPS Cells, Retinal Pigment Epithelium Derived From iPS, and Fetal Retinal Pigment Epithelium

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Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs across the developing human brain.

M N Ziats¹, O M Rennert²

¹1] National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA [2] NIH-University of Cambridge Biomedical Scholars Program, Cambridge, UK [3] Baylor College of Medicine MSTP, Houston, TX, USA.

Molecular Psychiatry

|August 7, 2013

Summary

This study maps microRNA (miRNA) expression in the developing human brain. Key miRNAs were linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

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Hypoxia Alters miRNAs Levels Involved in Non-Mendelian Inheritance of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mice

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Genetics
Developmental Biology

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression.
Understanding miRNA dynamics during human brain development is vital for insights into neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To perform a spatio-temporal analysis of miRNA expression in the developing human brain.
To identify miRNAs and their target genes involved in early brain development and sex-specific patterns.
To investigate the association of miRNA targets with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyze miRNA expression.
The study included 18 human donor brains from infancy to adolescence, focusing on the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Bioinformatic analyses identified differentially expressed miRNAs, their target genes, and functional enrichments.

Main Results:

Significant spatio-temporal patterns and sex differences in miRNA expression were observed in the prefrontal cortex.
Identified miRNA targets were enriched for functions in transcription regulation and synaptogenesis.
miRNA targets showed strong enrichment for gene sets associated with autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Conclusions:

The study highlights the critical role of specific miRNAs in the transcriptional networks of the developing human brain.
These findings suggest that dysregulated miRNAs may contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
The identified miRNAs and their targets provide potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for psychiatric conditions.