Functional analysis of miR-137, a risk gene for schizophrenia

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: UMEDA-YANO Satomi 大阪大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 特任研究員 (00625329)
• Research Collaborator: HASHIMOTO Ryota 大阪大学, 大学院連合小児発達学研究科, 准教授 (10370983)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: miR-137 / 統合失調症 / 神経細胞 / 分化 / 突起進展

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A recently completed genome-wide association study (GWAS) showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MIR137 gene, which encodes one of the brain-enriched miRNAs (miR-137), is highly associated with schizophrenia. In addition, the GWAS showed that not only miR-137 but also putative target genes of miR-137 (CSMD1, C10orf26, CACNA1C and TCF4) have significant associations with schizophrenia. Further, genes which have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia are enriched in predicted miR-137 target genes. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-137 and its target genes during neuronal differentiation. Our results showed that miR-137 expression increased during neuronal differentiation, but miR-137 does not seem to be involved in it. Further, miR-137 does not regulate the expression of CSMD1, C10orf26, CACNA1C and TCF4 in neuroblastoma cells and primary neurons.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学