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MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...

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A Microrna Controlling Left/right Neuronal Asymmetry In Caenorhabditis Elegans.

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A Microrna Controlling Left/right Neuronal Asymmetry In Caenorhabditis Elegans.

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A microRNA controlling left/right neuronal asymmetry in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Robert J Johnston¹, Oliver Hobert

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 W.168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.

|December 20, 2003

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A novel microRNA, lsy-6, establishes left/right neuronal asymmetry in C. elegans. This microRNA controls chemosensory receptor gene expression, crucial for sensory specialization in the nervous system.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Genetics

Background:

Neuronal left/right asymmetry is fundamental to nervous system function but poorly understood.
In C. elegans, bilateral taste neurons (ASEL/ASER) show asymmetrical chemoreceptor gene expression linked to sensory specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the molecular mechanisms controlling neuronal left/right asymmetry in C. elegans.
To investigate the role of microRNAs in establishing neuronal patterning and sensory specialization.

Main Methods:

Genetic screening to identify mutants with defects in neuronal asymmetry.
Reporter gene assays to determine lsy-6 expression patterns.
Analysis of gene regulation by microRNA (lsy-6) and its target (cog-1).

Main Results:

A novel microRNA, lsy-6, was identified as a key regulator of neuronal left/right asymmetry.
lsy-6 mutants exhibited a reversal of ASEL/ASER chemoreceptor expression profiles.
lsy-6 directly represses the homeobox gene cog-1 in ASEL neurons.

Conclusions:

lsy-6 is the first microRNA demonstrated to play a role in neuronal patterning.
This finding provides novel insights into the genetic control of left/right axis formation in the nervous system.
The lsy-6/cog-1 regulatory pathway is critical for diversifying chemosensory specificities in C. elegans neurons.