Nonprotein-coding RNAs in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Amanda H Mahnke1, Nihal A Salem2, Alexander M Tseng2
1Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States; Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, United States.
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|June 24, 2018
Summary
Ethanol exposure during development causes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are affected by alcohol and may offer therapeutic targets for FASD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Early developmental exposure to ethanol, a teratogen, leads to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
- Environmental changes, including teratogen exposure, can epigenetically alter gene expression.
- Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene transcription and translation during development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ncRNAs in the neurodevelopmental deficits associated with FASDs.
- To explore ncRNAs as potential therapeutic targets for FASDs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ncRNA expression patterns in response to ethanol exposure.
- Investigating the regulatory functions of specific ncRNAs in neural development.
Main Results:
- Ethanol exposure dynamically alters ncRNA expression during critical developmental periods.
- ncRNAs are identified as direct targets of alcohol's teratogenic effects.
- Dysregulation of ncRNAs contributes to the molecular pathology of FASDs.
Conclusions:
- ncRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of FASDs.
- Targeting ncRNAs presents a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating FASD-related developmental deficits.
Keywords:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderbiomarkerepigeneticslncRNAmiRNAprenatal alcohol exposuresnoRNAMore Related Videos
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