Seminar – Gian-Carlo Bellenchi

Venue: Centre Broca

Gian-Carlo Bellenchi
Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology IBBC-CNR,
Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Invited by Etienne Herzog (IINS)

Title

The Contribution of microRNAs to the Development and Function of Dopaminergic Neurons

Abstract

The development and function of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DAn) rely on tightly coordinated molecular programs involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. While morphogens and transcription factors are well-established drivers of DAn specification, the contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) to these processes has only recently begun to emerge. Using paired miRNA–mRNA profiling during dopaminergic differentiation, we identified miR-34b/c and miR-218 as key post-transcriptional regulators shaping DAn identity and function. miR-34b/c promotes dopaminergic lineage commitment and differentiation during embryonic development, at least in part through modulation of Wnt1 signaling. In parallel, miR-218 facilitates the functional maturation of DAn, and its conditional deletion alters the expression of synaptic-related transcripts, disrupts intrinsic excitability, and reduces stimulus-evoked dopamine release. Together, these findings highlight miRNA–mRNA co-regulatory networks as integral components of dopaminergic neuron development and physiology, and position miRNAs as essential hubs orchestrating dopaminergic differentiation and neurotransmission.

Related Articles

Pulcrano S, et al. miR-218 Regulates the Excitability of VTA Dopamine Neurons and the Mesoaccumbens Pathway in Mice. Brain Sci. 2025

Taylor SR, et al. MicroRNA-218 instructs proper assembly of hippocampal networks. Elife. 2023

Pulcrano S, et al. miR-218 Promotes Dopaminergic Differentiation and Controls Neuron Excitability and Neurotransmitter Release through the Regulation of a Synaptic-Related Genes Network. J Neurosci. 2023

Pulcrano S, et al.  Lmx1a-Dependent Activation of miR-204/211 Controls the Timing of Nurr1-Mediated Dopaminergic Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci. 2022

De Gregorio R, et al. miR-34b/c Regulates Wnt1 and Enhances Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation. Stem Cell Reports. 2018

• Place
  Centre Broca
  
• Dates
  On November 18, 2025 at 11:00