New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

New microRNAs found to be involved in regulation of BDNF levels

Date:
May 19, 2014
Source:
Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki)
Summary:
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) regulates many processes including memory and learning in our daily tasks. Levels of BDNF are important in determining the outcome of these processes. BDNF also carries strong potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases  which, among other things, affect memory and learning, such Alzheimer’s.
Share:
FULL STORY

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) regulates many processes including memory and learning in our daily tasks. Levels of BDNF are important in determining the outcome of these processes. BDNF also carries strong potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases which, among other things, affect memory and learning, such Alzheimer's.

MicroRNA-206 was in 2012 shown to down-regulate BDNF levels. When in the animal model of Alzheimer's disease the activity of microRNA-206 was blocked, BDNF levels rose and Alzheimer's disease features were alleviated. This is an important discovery since to date drugs able to cure Alzheimer's disease do not exist.

A team lead by Academy Research Fellow Jaan-Olle Andressoo at the Institute of Biotechnology in University of Helsinki, Finland, screened for new microRNAs involved in the regulation of BDNF levels. The team identified four new microRNAs: microRNA-1, microRNA-10b, microRNA-155 and mcrioRNA-191, all of which were able to regulate BDNF levels.

"These results enable future studies in Alzheimer's and other disease models and highlight the importance of basic research which precedes drug-discovery," says Jaan-Olle Andressoo.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Kärt Varendi, Anmol Kumar, Mari-Anne Härma, Jaan-Olle Andressoo. miR-1, miR-10b, miR-155, and miR-191 are novel regulators of BDNF. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2014; DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1628-x

Cite This Page:

Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki). "New microRNAs found to be involved in regulation of BDNF levels." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 May 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140519090411.htm>.
Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki). (2014, May 19). New microRNAs found to be involved in regulation of BDNF levels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140519090411.htm
Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki). "New microRNAs found to be involved in regulation of BDNF levels." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140519090411.htm (accessed March 19, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES