A matter of timing: microRNA-controlled temporal identities in worms and flies.
The first microRNAs were identified in Caenorhabditis elegans based on their functions in the temporal regulation of stage-specific cell fate decisions. Until now, it was not known whether the so-called heterochronic genes that encode miRNAs are also involved in controlling developmental transitions in other organisms. New findings by Sokol et al. (this issue of Genes & Development, pp. 1591-1596) demonstrate that the Drosophila counterpart of a heterochronic miRNA gene from C. elegans, let-7, does indeed play a role in promoting stage-specific developmental events in neuromuscular tissues during the transition from larval to adult stages, thus pointing to a more widespread utilization of miRNAs in temporal regulation of animal development.
Frasch
Manfred
M
Department Biology, Developmental Biology Unit, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. manfred.frasch@biologie.uni-erlangen.de
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000196:embryology; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors; C474488:let-7 microRNA, C elegans