MicroRNAs - small RNAs with a big influence on brain excitability

figure legend MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs which negatively regulate gene expression via targeting of complementary sequences, primarily in the 3' untranslated region, of mRNA transcripts. There are hundreds of different microRNAs and each has a target pool which can comprise many different gene transcripts. Many microRNA-target interactions have been identified which can modulate neural excitability, with impacts on processes including synaptic transmission and plasticity, ion transporters and voltage-gated ion channels. The expression of many microRNAs is in turn regulated by neuronal activity, thereby forming feedback loops.