Essentials of Noncoding RNA in Neuroscience

Neurobiology of microRNAs: Ontogenetics and Evolution of the Mammalian Forebrain focuses on the role of miRNAs in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, neuronal network formation, and the cell biology of forebrain development. The important role miRNAs play in neuronal maturation, neocortex function, and in some neurodevelopmental disorders is discussed, as are the computational challenges and methods used in the identification of miRNA targets. This book is a valuable reference for neuroscientists who wish to better understand the role of miRNAs in complex processes. It is of strong interest to those working to develop enabling technologies to detect and monitor miRNA expression and function, and to evaluate its roles in neural progenitor proliferation/differentiation, neuronal plasticity, and learning and memory. Discusses the unique features of neural miRNAsDetails functional investigation of miRNA actions and current experimental approachesExtensive coverage of miRNA biology, developmental and postnatal neurogenesis, and computational/-omics challenges for miRNA target identificationContains thorough discussion of the transcriptional control of miRNA expression in forebrain development and in specific neuronal subtypes, as well as miRNA function in neurogenesis, neuronal network maturation, plasticity, gliogenesis, and dysfunctionAdditional chapters discuss emerging features of miRNA biology, such as miRNA-independent functions of miRNA biogenesis machinery, post-transcriptional modifications of miRNAs, novel classes of small non-coding RNAs and their cross talk with miRNAs, and adaptation of neural mRNAs to miRNA-dependent controlContains overview of miRNA roles in neurodevelopmental disorders and their possible role in the evolution of the neocortex