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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes
Published on: April 12, 2015
miR-137 and miR-122, two outer subventricular zone non-coding RNAs, regulate basal progenitor expansion and neuronal
Ugo Tomasello1, Esther Klingler2, Mathieu Niquille3
1Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain.
Abstract:
Cortical expansion in primate brains relies on enlargement of germinal zones during a prolonged developmental period. Although most mammals have two cortical germinal zones, the ventricular zone (VZ) and subventricular zone (SVZ), gyrencephalic species display an additional germinal zone, the outer subventricular zone (oSVZ), which increases the number and diversity of neurons generated during corticogenesis. How the oSVZ emerged during evolution is poorly understood, but recent studies suggest a role for non-coding RNAs, which allow tight genetic program regulation during development. Here, using in vivo functional genetics, single-cell RNA sequencing, live imaging, and electrophysiology to assess progenitor and neuronal properties in mice, we identify two oSVZ-expressed microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-137 and miR-122, which regulate key cellular features of cortical expansion. miR-137 promotes basal progenitor self-replication and superficial layer neuron fate, whereas miR-122 decreases the pace of neuronal differentiation. These findings support a cell-type-specific role of miRNA-mediated gene expression in cortical expansion.
