The Role of MicroRNAs in Cerebellar Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder During Embryogenesis

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules with wide-ranging and subtle effects on protein production. Their activity during the development of the cerebellum provides a valuable exemplar of how non-coding molecules may assist the development and function of the central nervous system and drive neurodevelopmental disorders. Three distinct aspects of miRNA contribution to early cerebellar development will here be reviewed. Aspects are the establishment of the cerebellar anlage, the generation and maturation of at least two principal cell types of the developing cerebellar microcircuit, and the etiology and early progression of autism spectrum disorder. It will be argued here that the autism spectrum is an adept model to explore miRNA impact on the cognitive and affective processes that descend from the developing cerebellum.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Bergmann glia; Cerebellum; Dicer; Embryonic development; Granule cell progenitor; MicroRNA; Midbrain-hindbrain boundary.