microRNAs (miR) are non-coding strands of RNA that regulate gene expression. I contributed to research that described the effects of miR-132/212 on cognition and anxiety in mice. Knockout of miR-132/212 causes cognitive deficits in spatial and recognition memory and alters gene expression in the hippocampus. Stress exposure also upregulates expression of miR-132/212 in the hippocampus and amygdala according to stressor duration. Both overexpression and knockout of miR-132 increase anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting that this microRNA plays a role in the modulation of stress responsivity and emotional and cognitive behaviors.
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Data highlighting the expression of two miR-132/212 target genes-Sirt1 and Pten-after chronic stress. Aten S, Page CE, Kalidindi A, Wheaton KL, Niraula A, Godbout JP, Hoyt KR, Obrietan K. Data in Brief (2018)
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miR-132/212 is induced by stress and its dysregulation triggers anxiety-related behavior. Aten S, Page CE, Kalidindi A, Wheaton KL, Niraula A, Godbout JP, Hoyt KR, Obrietan K. Neuropharmacology (2018)
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Targeted deletion of miR-132/-212 impairs memory and alters the hippocampal transcriptome. Hansen KF, Sakamoto K, Aten S, Snider KH, Loeser J, Hesse AM, Page CE, Pelz C, Arthur JS, Impey S, Obrietan K. Learning and Memory (2016)