Transcriptomics

Biography

Biography: Yingwei Mao

Abstract

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an RNA surveillance mechanism that degrade mRNAs carrying premature termination codons (PTCs). This mechanism requires several key EJC factors to distinguish PTC from the normal stop codon. But how this mechanism modulates the embryonic neurodevelopment and behaviors is largely unknown In this study, we demonstrated that RBM8a plays a key role in neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation. First, RBM8a is highly expressed in the subventricular zone of early embryonic cortex, suggesting that RBM8a may play a role in regulating neural progenitor cells (NPCs). To test this hypothesis, we used in utero electroporation to overexpress or knock down RBM8a in mouse brain at E14. RBM8a stimulates embryonic neural progenitor proliferation and suppresses neuronal differentiation, indicating that RBM8a positively regulates NPC proliferation. Conversely, knockdown of RBM8a in the neocortex reduces NPC proliferation and promote premature neuronal differentiation. Consistently, Nes-cre; RBM8afl/+ mice show severe developmental defects including microcephaly and postnatal lethality. When RBM8a is overexpressed in the dentate gyrus of adult brain using stereotactic viral injection, mice showed altered anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. To uncover the underlying mechanisms, genome-wide RNAseq identifies potential substrates of RBM8a in the brain, which have been implicated in neurogenesis and plasticity. Interestingly, autism- and schizophrenia-risk genes are highly representative in RBM8a-associate transcripts. Taken together, we identify a novel role of RBM8a in regulation of neurodevelopment and behaviors. Our studies provide a deeper insight on causes of mental illnesses and will facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental illnesses.