MicroRNAs targeting Nicastrin regulate Aβ production and are affected by target site polymorphisms.

ABSTRACT: Despite the growing number of genome-wide association studies, the involvement of polymorphisms in microRNA target sites (polymiRTS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains poorly investigated. Recently, we have shown that AD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of amyloid precursor protein (APP) could directly affect miRNA function. In theory, loss of microRNA (miRNA) function could lead to risk for AD by increasing APP expression and Aβ peptide production. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Nicastrin, a γ-secretase subunit involved in Aβ generation, could be regulated by miRNAs, and consequently affected by 3'UTR polymorphisms. Bioinformatic analysis identified 22 putative miRNA binding sites located in or near Nicastrin 3'

SUBMITTER: Delay C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4103510 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature