Drosophila let-7 microRNA is required for remodeling of the neuromusculature during metamorphosis
Sokol, Nicholas S. ; Xu, Peizhang ; Jan, Yuh-Nung ; Ambros, Victor R.
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Keywords
Animals, Genetically Modified
Drosophila
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Larva
Life Cycle Stages
Male
Metamorphosis, Biological
MicroRNAs
Muscles
Nervous System
Neuromuscular Junction
Transgenes
let-7
let-7-Complex
microRNA
heterochronic developmental timing
neuromuscular junction
Biochemistry
Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
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Abstract
The Drosophila let-7-Complex (let-7-C) is a polycistronic locus encoding three ancient microRNAs: let-7, miR-100, and fly lin-4 (miR-125). We find that the let-7-C locus is principally expressed in the pupal and adult neuromusculature. let-7-C knockout flies appear normal externally but display defects in adult behaviors (e.g., flight, motility, and fertility) as well as clear juvenile features in their neuromusculature. We find that the function of let-7-C to ensure the appropriate remodeling of the abdominal neuromusculature during the larval-to-adult transition is carried out predominantly by let-7 alone. This heterochronic role of let-7 is likely just one of the ways in which let-7-C promotes adult behavior.
Source
Genes Dev. 2008 Jun 15;22(12):1591-6. doi: 10.1101/gad.1671708. Link to article on publisher's site