RNA-Seq can generate rich expression maps for annotated and unannotated regions of the transcriptional landscape (Nagalakshmi et al., 2008). The expression of transcribed RNA features can be extensively regulated across human tissues and cell types (Djebali et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2008), which may involve alternative splicing of exons or pervasive variation within the 3′-UTR of transcripts. Differences in the 3′-UTR of transcripts are known to contribute to expression instability, translation, and act as sites of posttranscriptional regulation (Jackson, 1993). Unbiased transcriptome sequencing of the human brain can identify novel 3′-UTRs for candidate genes (Fig. 11.10). Further characterization of the transcriptome across assorted brain structures, experimental circumstances, and individuals may reveal unique 3′-UTRs or other features for transcribed elements. Probing the neurobiology of novel 3′-UTRs, though time consuming, could eventually expose distinct mechanisms of neuronal function. For example, a short 3′-UTR of Bdnf RNA is restricted to neuronal somata, while a long form of the 3′-UTR is trafficked to the dendrites where it can act upon spine morphology and synaptic transmission (An et al., 2008). Local translation of BDNF,
