Micro RNAS as New Players in Control of Hypothalamic Functions

Abstract

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of ~22 nucleotides in length involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. They were discovered over 15 years ago and their functions are becoming clearer. They play an important role in all biological processes. MiRNAs are important modulators of the expression of eukaryotic genes. Focusing on transcripts encoding proteins they impact on the cellular transcriptome thus helping to determine the destiny of a cell. More and more data emerge to indicate an important functional role of miRNAs in the brain development. Since their discovery many miRNAs have been described as key factors in the development and function of the central nervous system. Some play a significant role in the genesis and differentiation of nerve cells (neurons and glial cells). Notably, it has recently been established that miRNAs play a vital role in the mechanisms underpinning the infantile increase of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production by neurons in the hypothalamus. This phenomenon is necessary for the onset of puberty in mammals. In this review offers our attempt to describe miRNAs as new players in the control of hypothalamic functions, namely the onset of puberty.