microRNAs and neurogenesis xontrol

Activity Code: FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
Coordinator:Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health

Abstract:

Vertebrate brain development and function require the life-long regulation of neural stem cell maintenance and neuronal production. Recent evidence, in part obtained in the host laboratory, suggest that the microRNA miR-9 might be an important regulator of neurogenesis, by driving neural progenitors towards differentiation. Notably, injection of a miR-9 morpholino antisense oligonucleotide into zebrafish embryos decreases neuronal differentiation in the embryonic hindbrain.
The spatio-temporal expression pattern of miR-9 is suggestive of a neuronal subtype-specific action. The researcher will thus characterize more precisely the neuronal deficit of miR-9 morphant embryos, using markers of different neuronal populations.
To understand the mechanisms underlying miR-9 function, the interaction between miR-9 and selected in silico predicted targets will be tested, and an innovative microarray-based biochemical approach for identifying targets in vivo will be developped.
The NEuromiR project also includes epistasis experiments to connect miR-9 action with that of other neurogenesis regulators (Rest, Her) expressed in progenitors. Finally, in a longer term and to extend the findings to later developmental stages and adulthood, zebrafish transgenic lines that enable to conditionally enhance or deplete miR-9 function will be engineered. Together, this project will shed light onto the fine-tuning of neurogenesis control by microRNAs.

Project Details:

Start Date: 01.07.2009
End Date: 30.06.2011
EU Contribution: 162,096 Euro
Total Costs: 160,996 Euro
Funding Scheme: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)
Administrative Contact Person: Dr Jürgen Ertel, ertel@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Scientific Contact: Dr Laure Bally-Cuif, bally@helmholtz-muenchen.de