MicroRNAs (miRNAs) provide context‐dependent transcriptional regulation of genes comprising signalling networks throughout the developing organism including morphogenesis of the embryonic neural tube (NT). Using a high‐sensitivity, high‐coverage microarray analysis platform, miRNA expression in the murine embryonic NT during the critical stages of its formation was examined. Analysis of a number of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs enabled identification of several gene targets associated with cellular processes essential for normal NT development. Using computational pathway analysis, interactive biologic networks and functional relationships connecting DE miRNAs with their targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were identified. Potential mRNA targets and a key signal transduction pathway governing critical cellular processes indispensable for normal mammalian neurulation were also identified. RNA preparations were also used to hybridize both miRNA arrays and mRNA arrays allowing miRNA‐mRNA target analysis using data of DE miRNAs and DE mRNAs – co‐expressed in the same developing NT tissue samples. Identification of these miRNA targets provides key insight into the epigenetic regulation of NT development as well as into potential mechanistic underpinning of NT defects.

中文翻译：

---

MicroRNA靶向发展中神经管中非规范平面细胞极性途径。

MicroRNA（miRNA）提供了上下文相关的基因转录调控，这些基因包含整个发育中生物的信号网络，包括胚胎神经管（NT）的形态发生。使用高灵敏度，高覆盖率的微阵列分析平台，检测了小鼠胚胎NT形成关键阶段中miRNA的表达。对许多差异表达（DE）miRNA的分析使得能够鉴定与正常NT发育必不可少的细胞过程相关的几个基因靶标。使用计算途径分析，确定了将DE miRNA与目标信使RNA（mRNA）连接起来的互动生物网络和功能关系。还确定了潜在的mRNA靶标和控制关键细胞过程的关键信号转导途径，而这些过程对于正常哺乳动物的哺乳必不可少。RNA制备物还用于杂交miRNA阵列和mRNA阵列，从而可以使用在相同发育中的NT组织样品中共表达的DE miRNA和DE mRNA的数据进行miRNA‐mRNA靶标分析。这些miRNA靶标的鉴定为NT发育的表观遗传调控以及NT缺陷的潜在机制基础提供了重要的见识。