Normal midbrain dopaminergic neuron development and function in miR-133b mutant mice.

J Neurosci
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons control movement and emotion, and their degeneration leads to motor and cognitive defects in Parkinson's disease (PD). miR-133b is a conserved microRNA that is thought to regulate mDA neuron differentiation by targeting Pitx3, a transcription factor required for appropriate development of mDA substantia nigra neurons. Moreover, miR-133b has been found to be depleted in the midbrain of PD patients. However, the function of miR-133b in the intact midbrain has not been determined. Here we show that miR-133b null mice have normal numbers of mDA neurons during development and aging. Dopamine levels are unchanged in the striatum, while expression of dopaminergic genes, including Pitx3, is also unaffected. Finally, motor coordination and both spontaneous and psychostimulant-induced locomotion are unaltered in miR-133b null mice, suggesting that miR-133b does not play a significant role in mDA neuron development and maintenance in vivo.

Year of Publication
2012
Journal
J Neurosci
Volume
32
Issue
32
Pages
10887-94
Date Published
2012 Aug 08
ISSN
1529-2401
DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1732-12.2012
PubMed ID
22875923
PubMed Central ID
PMC3752074
Links
Grant list
F31 NS063519 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States