miRNAs and neural alternative polyadenylation specify the virgin behavioral state Journal Article
| Authors: | Garaulet, D. L.; Zhang, B.; Wei, L.; Li, E.; Lai, E. C. |
| Article Title: | miRNAs and neural alternative polyadenylation specify the virgin behavioral state |
| Abstract: | How are diverse regulatory strategies integrated to impose appropriately patterned gene expression that underlie in vivo phenotypes? Here, we reveal how coordinated miRNA regulation and neural-specific alternative polyadenylation (APA) of a single locus controls complex behaviors. Our entry was the unexpected observation that deletion of Bithorax complex (BX-C) miRNAs converts virgin female flies into a subjective post-mated behavioral state, normally induced by seminal proteins following copulation. Strikingly, this behavioral switch is directly attributable to misregulation of homothorax (hth). We localize specific CNS abdominal neurons where de-repressed Hth compromises virgin behavior in BX-C miRNA mutants. Moreover, we use genome engineering to demonstrate that precise mutation of hth 3′ UTR sites for BX-C miRNAs or deletion of its neural 3′ UTR extension containing most of these sites both induce post-mated behaviors in virgins. Thus, facilitation of miRNA-mediated repression by neural APA is required for virgin females to execute behaviors appropriate to their internal state. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. Garaulet et al. show that two post-transcriptional regulatory pathways—miRNAs and alternative polyadenylation—intersect in the central nervous system to control a behavioral switch. Regulation of homothorax by the mir-iab-4/8 locus, preferentially via the neural 3′ UTR extension, is required for females to interpret the virgin behavioral state. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. |
| Keywords: | behavior; cns; mirna; hox; mating; alternative polyadenylation; 3′ utr; apa; ventral nerve cord; virgin |
| Journal Title: | Developmental Cell |
| Volume: | 54 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| ISSN: | 1534-5807 |
| Publisher: | Cell Press |
| Date Published: | 2020-08-10 |
| Start Page: | 410 |
| End Page: | 423.e4 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.06.004 |
| PUBMED: | 32579967 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC7423760 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 1 September 2020 -- Source: Scopus |
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