MICRORNA CONTROLS OF NEVEROUS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Abstract

microRNAs are small, endogenous non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression post transcription. In this study, a reverse genetics approach was used to study Drosophila miRNA functions in vivo. A series of gene targeting vectors was created for the generation of miRNA knockout mutants. These vectors enhanced the versatility, efficiency and throughput of the current gene targeting strategy in Drosophila.

miR-124 is an evolutionarily ancient, CNS-specific miRNA. In vivo analysis of miR-124 function using a targeted knockout mutant suggested a role of miR-124 during larval neurogenesis. miR-124 activity in the neuroblast lineages within the larval central brain is required for neural progenitor proliferation, via regulating anachronism, an inhibitor of neuroblast proliferation. In adult stage, miR-124 plays an important role in conferring sexual identity and reproductive fitness by regulating chemical communications, courtship and aggression behaviors. Molecular and genetics analysis suggested that miR-124 acts in the sex determination pathway to limit leaky transformer expression.