Sexually dimorphic microRNA miR-190 regulates lifespan in male Drosophila

microRNAs are short noncoding RNAs that buffer fluctuations in gene expression in a myriad of physiological conditions. Here, we carried out a screen to identify the role of microRNAs in the maintenance of age-dependent neuronal functions in adult Drosophila. We report that miR-190 acts in the neurons to regulate lifespan, neuronal maintanence and age-related locomotor activity specifically in male flies. miR-190, a highly conserved microRNA, shows higher expression levels in male flies. Our data suggest that miR-190 functions by regulating target genes that are involved in maintaining neuronal activity and lifespan in male flies.