miR-132/212 knockout mice reveal roles for these miRNAs in regulating cortical synaptic transmission and plasticity

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 26;8(4):e62509. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062509. Print 2013.

Abstract

miR-132 and miR-212 are two closely related miRNAs encoded in the same intron of a small non-coding gene, which have been suggested to play roles in both immune and neuronal function. We describe here the generation and initial characterisation of a miR-132/212 double knockout mouse. These mice were viable and fertile with no overt adverse phenotype. Analysis of innate immune responses, including TLR-induced cytokine production and IFNβ induction in response to viral infection of primary fibroblasts did not reveal any phenotype in the knockouts. In contrast, the loss of miR-132 and miR-212, while not overtly affecting neuronal morphology, did affect synaptic function. In both hippocampal and neocortical slices miR-132/212 knockout reduced basal synaptic transmission, without affecting paired-pulse facilitation. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by tetanic stimulation was not affected by miR-132/212 deletion, whilst theta burst LTP was enhanced. In contrast, neocortical theta burst-induced LTP was inhibited by loss of miR-132/212. Together these results indicate that miR-132 and/or miR-212 play a significant role in synaptic function, possibly by regulating the number of postsynaptic AMPA receptors under basal conditions and during activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / genetics
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / immunology
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-beta / immunology
  • Long-Term Potentiation / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neocortex / cytology
  • Neocortex / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics*
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Sendai virus / physiology
  • Synapses / genetics
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics*

Substances

  • MIRN132 microRNA, mouse
  • MIRN212 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Interferon-beta