Determining the role of conserved, fat-enriched circulating miRNAs in aging and in triacylglycerol accumulation of Drosophila melanogaster

• Grant number: 17/24161-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: April 04, 2018
• End date: April 03, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Alves da Silva Mori
• Grantee: Henrique Camara
• Supervisor: Norbert Perrimon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Boston, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 17/01339-2 - Uncovering mechanisms of longevity mediated by mobile RNAs, BP.DR

Abstract

Aging, obesity and the consequent increases in the prevalence of chronic diseases are serious public health issues. The adipose tissue is an important regulator of aging and obesity, and miRNAs seem to play a key role in these processes. When miRNA synthesis is blocked in the adipose tissue, mice develop lipodystrophy and exhibit premature mortality rates. Importantly, the adipose tissue is the main source of functional circulating miRNAs (ci-miRNAs) in mice and potentially humans, supporting the notion that adipose derived ci-miRNAs play a role in intercellular communication. To gain further insights into the role of adipose tissue miRNAs in lipid metabolism and longevity, we propose to assess the function of conserved fat-derived miRNA on triacylglycerol accumulation and lifespan using Drosophila as a model organism. We also intend to look for the molecular targets of these miRNAs. With this, we expect to describe new mechanisms of lipid storage regulation and generate data to support the cell non-autonomous role of fat-derived ci-miRNAs in longevity.