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-right...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2015-11, Vol.350 (6262), p.815-820
Main Authors: Picao-Osorio, Joao, Johnston, Jamie, Landgraf, Matthias, Berni, Jimena, Alonso, Claudio R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animals
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Coding
Control
Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster - genetics
Drosophila melanogaster - physiology
Drosophila Proteins - genetics
Fruits
Gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Genes
Genetic Loci
Homeodomain Proteins - genetics
Insects
Larva - genetics
Larva - physiology
MicroRNAs
MicroRNAs - genetics
MicroRNAs - physiology
Mutation
Mutations
Neurons
Neurons - physiology
Orientation - physiology
Ribonucleic acids
Specifications
Transcription Factors - genetics
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aad0217