MicroRNA-encoded behavior in Drosophila.
The relationship between microRNA (miRNA) regulation and the specification of behavior is only beginning to be explored. We found that mutation of a single miRNA locus (miR-iab4/iab8) in Drosophila larvae affects the animal's capacity to correct its orientation if turned upside down (self-righting). One of the miRNA targets involved in this behavior is the Hox gene Ultrabithorax, whose derepression in two metameric neurons leads to self-righting defects. In vivo neural activity analysis reveals that these neurons, the self-righting node (SRN), have different activity patterns in wild type and miRNA mutants, whereas thermogenetic manipulation of SRN activity results in changes in self-righting behavior. Our work thus reveals a miRNA-encoded behavior and suggests that other miRNAs might also be involved in behavioral control in Drosophila and other species.
Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
Joao
J
Picao-Osorio
Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
Jamie
J
Johnston
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
Matthias
M
Landgraf
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
Jimena
J
Berni
Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Science, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK. c.alonso@sussex.ac.uk.
Claudio R
CR
Alonso
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D056426:Genetic Loci; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066177:Ubx protein, Drosophila; C580822:iab-4 microRNA, Drosophila; C580823:iab-8 microRNA, Drosophila