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. 2024;46(6):401-410.
doi: 10.1159/000538168. Epub 2024 Mar 4.

Identification of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in the Rat Hippocampus during Adolescence through an Epigenome-Wide Analysis

Ana Vázquez-Ágredos  1   2   3 , Paula Rovira  2   3   4   5 , Blanca Gutiérrez  2   3   4 , Fernando Gámiz  1   2   3 , Milagros Gallo  1   2   3
Affiliations

Identification of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in the Rat Hippocampus during Adolescence through an Epigenome-Wide Analysis

Ana Vázquez-Ágredos et al. Dev Neurosci. 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Epigenetic mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs) play a fundamental role in many biological processes, particularly during prenatal and early postnatal development. Their role in adolescent brain development, however, has been poorly described. The present study aimed to explore miRNA expression in the hippocampus during adolescence compared to adulthood in rats.

Method: The brains of female and male Wistar rats were extracted, and the hippocampus was freshly dissected at postnatal day 41 (adolescence) and postnatal day 98 (adulthood). An epigenome-wide analysis was conducted to identify the miRNAs significantly expressed in adolescence compared to adulthood. Additionally, target genes of such miRNAs were considered to perform an exploratory Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.

Results: We identified 16 differentially expressed miRNAs in adolescent male rats compared with adult male rats and 4 differentially expressed miRNAs in adolescent females compared with adult females. Enrichment analysis reinforced that the target genes found are related to neurodevelopmental processes such as cell proliferation, cell migration, and nervous system development.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a complex pattern of miRNA expression during adolescence, which differs from that in adulthood. The differential expression of miRNA in the hippocampus during adolescence may be associated with the late developmental changes occurring in this brain region. Furthermore, the observed sex differences in miRNA expression patterns indicate potential sexual differentiation in hippocampal development. Further comprehensive investigations are needed to elucidate the roles of miRNA in normal brain development.

Keywords: Adolescence; Epigenetics; Hippocampus; MicroRNA; Neurodevelopment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
PCA of the expressed miRNA in adolescent and adult male rats.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
a Volcano plot. b Heatmap of differentially expressed miRNA in adolescent male rats compared with adult male rats.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
PCA of the expressed miRNA in adolescent and adult female rats.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
a Volcano plot. b Heatmap of differentially expressed miRNA in adolescent female rats compared with adult female rats.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Top 12 significant GO terms for each category in male rats.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Top 15 significant KEGG pathways in males.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Significant GO terms for each category in female rats.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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