Tubby-like protein 1 (Tulp1) is a target of microRNA-134 and is down-regulated in experimental epilepsy.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are important determinants of gene expression via post-transcriptional control of the protein levels of their mRNA targets. MicroRNA-134 (miR-134) has emerged as an important brain-specific microRNA which has been implicated in the control of dendritic spine morphology, neuronal differentiation and apoptosis. Here we show that Tubby-like protein 1 (Tulp1) is a target of miR-134. Tulp1 protein showed a similar cellular distribution pattern in the hippocampus to miR-134 and displayed an inverse expression pattern in the mouse retina. Bioinformatics analyses identified a conserved miR-134 binding site in the 3' untranslated region of both mouse and human Tulp1 and luciferase reporter assays confirmed miR-134 targets Tulp1 in vitro. Induction of prolonged seizures in mice resulted in upregulation of miR-134 and downregulation of protein levels of Tulp1 which were reversed in animals injected with locked nucleic acid-modified antagomirs targeting miR-134. Finally, knockdown of Tulp1 in human neurons caused an increase in vulnerability to excitotoxicity. These data identify Tulp1/TULP1 as a novel target of miR-134, which may contribute to underlying pathomechanisms in epilepsy.

• Authors: Amaya Sanz Rodriguez, Tobias Engel, Arpad Palfi, G Jane Farrar, David C Henshall, Eva M Jimenez-Mateos
• Journal: International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology (Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol) Vol. 9 Issue 6 Pg. 178-187 ( 2017) ISSN: 1944-8171 [Print] United States
• PMID: 29348794 (Publication Type: Journal Article)