The microRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and can be involved in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. They are emerging as possible targets for antisense-based therapy, even though the in vivo stability of miRNA analogues is still questioned. We tested the ability of peptide nucleic acids, a novel class of nucleic acid mimics, to downregulate miR-9 in vivo in an invertebrate model organism, the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, by microinjection of antisense molecules in the eggs. It is known that miR-9 is a well-conserved microRNA in bilaterians and we found that it is expressed in epidermal sensory neurons of the tail in the larva of C. intestinalis. Larvae developed from injected eggs showed a reduced differentiation of tail neurons, confirming the possibility to use peptide nucleic acid PNA to downregulate miRNA in a whole organism. By identifying putative targets of miR-9, we discuss the role of this miRNA in the development of the peripheral nervous system of ascidians.
Exploring miR-9 Involvement in Ciona intestinalis Neural Development Using Peptide Nucleic Acids / S. Mercurio, S. Cauteruccio, R. Manenti, S. Candiani, G. Scarì, E. Licandro, R. Pennati. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. - ISSN 1422-0067. - 21:6(2020 Mar 15).
Titolo: | Exploring miR-9 Involvement in Ciona intestinalis Neural Development Using Peptide Nucleic Acids |
Autori: | MERCURIO, SILVIA (Primo) LICANDRO, EMANUELA (Penultimo) PENNATI, ROBERTA (Ultimo) |
Parole Chiave: | PNA; antisense therapy; invertebrate; microRNA; nervous system development; tunicates |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore BIO/05 - Zoologia Settore CHIM/06 - Chimica Organica |
Data di pubblicazione: | 15-mar-2020 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062001 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
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