Exploring the Role of microRNAs in the Mechanism of Stress-Induced Anxiety
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In an informative original blog - Amsbio reports how researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School have shed light on the role of microRNA - miR-483-5p in attenuating the detrimental effects of stress on brain function and anxiety-related behaviors.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA sequences that regulate gene expression and are implicated in some neuropsychiatric conditions. This published study focuses on miR-383-5p’s regulatory role in the amygdala, a region of the brain involved in emotional processing, known to play a crucial role in stress-induced anxiety. However, the specific role of miRNAs in the amygdala and their effects on stress has until now been poorly understood.
To investigate this, Professor Robert Pawlak and his team of researchers used custom lentiviral particles supplied by Amsbio to investigate the impact of miR-483-5p on neuronal morphology in mouse models. Their findings revealed that this targeted overexpression of miR-483-5p in the amygdala led to significant changes in neuronal morphology, promoting increased dendritic complexity and spine density (key indicators of enhanced synaptic connectivity). Further these changes were associated with reduced anxiety like behaviors, such as increased exploration of open arms in a maze, indicating a potential anxiolytic effect. Having gained a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between miRNAs, stress, and anxiety, the blog proposes this research opens exciting new avenues for future therapeutic interventions.
