Pervasive Behavioral Effects of MicroRNA Regulation in Drosophila

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• MicroRNA (miRNA) regulation's impact on behavioral genetic programs is largely unknown.
• Previous studies in *Drosophila* suggest a single miRNA locus mutation affects larval self-righting (SR) behavior.
• This indicates a potential broader role for miRNAs in behavioral control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of microRNAs in regulating early larval self-righting behavior in *Drosophila*.
• To explore the extent of miRNA involvement in innate behavioral control.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 81 *Drosophila* miRNA mutants covering the late embryonic miRNA complement.
• Analysis of early larval self-righting (SR) behavior.
• Gene expression analysis to identify miRNA targets.

Main Results:

• Over 40% of tested miRNA mutants significantly affected larval SR time.
• Individual miRNAs demonstrated distinct effects on movement, suggesting specific cellular targets.
• The *Hox* gene *Abdominal-B* (*Abd-B*) was identified as a deregulated target for several SR-miRNAs.

Conclusions:

• MicroRNA regulation has pervasive effects on complex innate behaviors in *Drosophila* larvae.
• Specific miRNAs are crucial components of the genetic architecture underlying behavioral control.
• These findings suggest miRNAs may be fundamental to behavioral regulation across diverse animal species.