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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...

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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Cerebrospinal Fluid MicroRNA Profiling Using Quantitative Real Time PCR

Cerebrospinal Fluid MicroRNA Profiling Using Quantitative Real Time PCR

Published on: January 22, 2014

microRNA Profiling as Tool for Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing (DNT).

Lena Smirnova^1,2, Andrea E M Seiler², Andreas Luch³

¹Current address: Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Current Protocols in Toxicology

|September 8, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces microRNA profiling (miRNomics) to assess developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) using neural stem cells. This method offers a versatile approach to understanding toxicant effects on neural development.

Keywords:

embryonic stem cells in vitro developmental neurotoxicity miRNA miRNomics

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Developmental Neuroscience
Toxicology

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, crucial for development.
In the brain, miRNAs control neural stem cell differentiation, synaptogenesis, and morphogenesis.
miRNA expression's specificity makes them potential biomarkers for toxicant exposure effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a method for miRNA profiling (miRNomics) as a molecular endpoint for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessment.
To present a protocol for neural differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as an in vitro model for DNT testing.

Main Methods:

Neural differentiation of mESCs to model early brain development.
miRNA profiling (miRNomics) to analyze molecular changes in response to toxicants.
Utilizing mESCs as a cellular system for in vitro DNT testing.

Main Results:

The described miRNomics protocol is versatile and applicable to various DNT cellular models.
Neural differentiation of mESCs provides a robust in vitro system for DNT studies.
miRNA profiling serves as a sensitive molecular endpoint for evaluating DNT.

Conclusions:

miRNomics is a valuable tool for studying DNT, offering insights into molecular mechanisms.
The mESC neural differentiation model combined with miRNomics facilitates DNT research.
This approach is adaptable for use with other stem cell types, including hESCs and iPSCs.