Given recent work using in vitro model systems showing that MeCP2 is a target of miR132 [18], we investigated whether transgenic miR132 affected MeCP2 levels in the hippocampus.
Based on similar observations in other model systems showing that genetic background could have a profound influence on the tumor spectrum [23], we assessed the effect of these Met mutations in another genetic background.
Strong evidence for a regulatory role in aging would be provided by experiments in model systems showing that modulating expression extended lifespan.
Moreover, there are animal model systems showing that disruption of IGF-IR affects survival of the pancreatic beta cells (Withers et al, 1999).
This is supported by data obtained in model systems, showing that preventive regimens (i.e. administration of BPs prior to or at the time of tumour cell injection) appear more effective compared to therapeutic treatment of established tumours [24].
However, despite the evidence from different model systems showing that DYRK1A regulates neural proliferation and differentiation (Tejedor and Hammerle, 2011), the pathogenic effects of DYRK1A overexpression in the formation of brain circuits in DS remain unclear (Haydar and Reeves, 2012).
