Identification of mi RNA s involved in DRG neurite outgrowth and their putative targets

Peripheral neurons regenerate their axons after injury. Transcriptional regulation by micro RNA s (mi RNA s) is one possible mechanism controlling regeneration. We profiled mi RNA expression in mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons after a sciatic nerve crush, and identified 49 differentially expressed mi RNA s. We evaluated the functional role of each mi RNA using a phenotypic analysis approach. To predict the targets of the mi RNA s we employed RNA ‐Sequencing and examined transcription at the isoform level. We identify thousands of differentially expressed isoforms and bioinformatically associate the mi RNA s that modulate neurite growth with their putative target isoforms to outline a network of regulatory events underlying peripheral nerve regeneration. MiR‐298, let‐7a, and let‐7f enhance neurite growth and target the majority of isoforms in the differentially expressed network.