Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal players in fundamental physiological and cellular processes and have been increasingly implicated in cancer, immune disorders, and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of ncRNA molecules that function as negative regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression. miRNAs are predicted to regulate 60% of all human protein-coding genes and as such, play key roles in cellular and developmental processes, human health, and disease. Not surprisingly, miRNAs are targets or effectors of nervous system, developmental, hepatic, and carcinogenic toxicants. We are interested in discovering toxicant regulated ncRNAS, discovering the targets of these ncRNAs, and understanding the importance of these interactions in toxicity mechanisms and disease. Some of the most relevant manuscripts are listed below. Current efforts are focused on long non coding RNAs lncRNAs. These approaches have created numerous opportunities for collaborative research and resulted in the training of dozens of early career scientists.
Selected Publication
- Franzosa, J.A., S.M. Bugel, T.L. Tal, J.K. La Du, S.C. Tilton, K.M. Waters, and R.L. Tanguay, Retinoic acid-dependent regulation of miR-19 expression elicits vertebrate axis defects. FASEB J, 2013. 27(12): p. 4866-76. PMCID: PMC3834785.
- Tal, T.L. and R.L. Tanguay, Non-coding RNAs–novel targets in neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology, 2012. 33(3): p. 530-44. PMCID: PMC3462486
- Tal, T.L., J.A. Franzosa, S.C. Tilton, K.A. Philbrick, U.T. Iwaniec, R.T. Turner, K.M. Waters, and R.L. Tanguay, MicroRNAs control neurobehavioral development and function in zebrafish. FASEB J, 2012. 26(4): p. 1452-61. PMCID: PMC3316906
- Garcia GR, Goodale BC, Wiley MW, La Du JK, Hendrix DA, Tanguay RL. In Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression. Mol Pharmacol. 2017;91(6):609-19. doi: 10.1124/mol.117.108233; PMCID: PMC5438132.