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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: August 21, 2014
miR-11 regulates pupal size of Drosophila melanogaster via directly targeting Ras85D
Yao Li1, Shengjie Li1, Ping Jin1
1Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China; and.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs play diverse roles in various physiological processes during Drosophila development. In the present study, we reported that miR-11 regulates pupal size during Drosophila metamorphosis via targeting Ras85D with the following evidences: pupal size was increased in the miR-11 deletion mutant; restoration of miR-11 in the miR-11 deletion mutant rescued the increased pupal size phenotype observed in the miR-11 deletion mutant; ectopic expression of miR-11 in brain insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and whole body shows consistent alteration of pupal size; Dilps and Ras85D expressions were negatively regulated by miR-11 in vivo; miR-11 targets Ras85D through directly binding to Ras85D 3'-untranslated region in vitro; removal of one copy of Ras85D in the miR-11 deletion mutant rescued the increased pupal size phenotype observed in the miR-11 deletion mutant. Thus, our current work provides a novel mechanism of pupal size determination by microRNAs during Drosophila melanogaster metamorphosis.
Insights
MicroRNAs, specifically miR-11, control fruit fly pupal size by targeting Ras85D during metamorphosis. This discovery reveals a new microRNA-mediated mechanism for regulating developmental size in Drosophila.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs are crucial regulators of physiological processes.
- Their specific roles in Drosophila metamorphosis are still being elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of miR-11 in regulating pupal size during Drosophila melanogaster metamorphosis.
- To identify the molecular targets and mechanisms through which miR-11 influences pupal development.
Main Methods:
- Generated miR-11 deletion mutants and performed rescue experiments.
- Analyzed pupal size and gene expression (Dilps, Ras85D) in vivo.
- Validated miR-11 targeting of Ras85D using in vitro binding assays.
- Conducted genetic interaction studies by manipulating Ras85D copy number.
Main Results:
- miR-11 deletion mutants exhibited significantly increased pupal size.
- Restoring miR-11 expression rescued the enlarged pupal phenotype.
- Ectopic miR-11 expression altered pupal size.
- miR-11 directly targets Ras85D and negatively regulates its expression.
- Reducing Ras85D dosage partially rescued the pupal size phenotype in miR-11 mutants.
Conclusions:
- miR-11 is a key regulator of pupal size in Drosophila melanogaster.
- The miR-11/Ras85D pathway is a novel mechanism controlling developmental size determination.
- This study provides new insights into microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation during metamorphosis.
