Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
06:18
Brain Slice Biotinylation: An Ex Vivo Approach to Measure Region-specific Plasma Membrane Protein Trafficking in Adult Neurons
Published on: April 3, 2014
13.6K
miR-137 and miR-491 Negatively Regulate Dopamine Transporter Expression and Function in Neural Cells
Xiaojian Jia1, Feng Wang1,2, Ying Han3
1Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication Safety, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
Neuroscience Bulletin
|September 16, 2016
Summary
MicroRNAs miR-137 and miR-491 reduce dopamine transporter (DAT) expression and influence dopamine transport. This regulation is linked to the DAT
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The dopamine transporter (DAT) regulates extracellular dopamine levels.
- A variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the DAT 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) is linked to dopaminergic dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNAs in regulating DAT expression and function.
- To explore the impact of the 3'UTR VNTR polymorphism on DAT regulation by microRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the effect of miR-137 and miR-491 on DAT expression and dopamine transport.
- Utilized DAT gene silencing to confirm microRNA regulatory mechanisms.
- Analyzed the interaction between miR-491, the VNTR sequence, and DAT regulation.
Main Results:
- miR-137 and miR-491 significantly reduced DAT expression and neuronal dopamine transport.
- MicroRNA-mediated regulation of dopamine transport was dependent on DAT expression.
- miR-491's regulatory effect was linked to the VNTR copy-number in the DAT 3'UTR.
Conclusions:
- miR-137 and miR-491 regulate DAT expression and dopamine transport post-transcriptionally.
- MicroRNA targeting offers a potential therapeutic strategy for DAT dysfunction-related diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
2.4K
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase,...
2.4K
01:37Neural Regulation
44.0K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
44.0K
01:21Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
1.7K
Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...
1.7K
01:22MicroRNAs
24.5K
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...
24.5K
01:22MicroRNAs
4.2K
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...
4.2K