microRNA-132/212 deficiency enhances Aβ production and senile plaque deposition in Alzheimer's disease triple transgenic mice

Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 3:6:30953. doi: 10.1038/srep30953.

Abstract

The abnormal regulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism (e.g., production, cleavage, clearance) plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among endogenous factors believed to participate in AD progression are the small regulatory non-coding microRNAs (miRs). In particular, the miR-132/212 cluster is severely reduced in the AD brain. In previous studies we have shown that miR-132/212 deficiency in mice leads to impaired memory and enhanced Tau pathology as seen in AD patients. Here we demonstrate that the genetic deletion of miR-132/212 promotes Aβ production and amyloid (senile) plaque formation in triple transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) mice. Using RNA-Seq and bioinformatics, we identified genes of the miR-132/212 network with documented roles in the regulation of Aβ metabolism, including Tau, Mapk, and Sirt1. Consistent with these findings, we show that the modulation of miR-132, or its target Sirt1, can directly regulate Aβ production in cells. Finally, both miR-132 and Sirt1 levels correlated with Aβ load in humans. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that the miR-132/212 network, including Sirt1 and likely other target genes, contributes to abnormal Aβ metabolism and senile plaque deposition in AD. This study strengthens the importance of miR-dependent networks in neurodegenerative disorders, and opens the door to multifactorial drug targets of AD by targeting Aβ and Tau.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease* / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / biosynthesis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Sirtuin 1 / genetics
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • MIRN132 microRNA, mouse
  • MIRN212 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Sirt1 protein, mouse
  • Sirtuin 1

Grants and funding