Impact of microRNA on the oligodendroglial gene regulatory network

• Applicant: Dr. Simone Reiprich
• Subject Area: Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 277909183

In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes myelinate axons to ensure fast propagation of action potentials. Defective development or degeneration of myelin-forming cells result in diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. Oligodendrocyte development is under tight control of transcription factors and cofactors, and recently microRNA have also been implicated. However, it is an open question how microRNA integrate into the oligodendroglial gene regulatory network and interact with known transcriptional regulators. I will identify and validate microRNA that are up- and downregulated during oligodendrocyte development, and investigate their role during oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in vivo starting with miR219 and miR338. Their way of integration into the oligodendroglial gene regulatory network will be studied by elucidating their molecular mode of action in vitro, in primary cells and in mouse mutants. In particular, both their regulation through and their impact on known transcriptional regulators and coregulators will be delineated. This will strengthen our understanding of the myelination process in development and disease.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants