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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Neuroligin-associated microRNA-932 targets actin and regulates memory in the honeybee

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Author(s):
Cristino, Alexandre S. [1] ; Barchuk, Angel R. [2] ; Freitas, Flavia C. P. [1, 3] ; Narayanan, Ramesh K. [1] ; Biergans, Stephanie D. [1, 4] ; Zhao, Zhengyang [1] ; Simoes, Zila L. P. [3] ; Reinhard, Judith [1] ; Claudianos, Charles [1]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Queensland, Queensland Brain Inst, Brisbane, Qld 4072 - Australia
[2] Univ Fed Alfenas, BR-37130000 Alfenas, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, BR-14040040 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Konstanz, D-78464 Constance - Germany
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 5, NOV 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 31
Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs) control levels of mRNA expression during experience-related remodelling of the brain. Here we use an associative olfactory learning paradigm in the honeybee Apis mellifera to examine gene expression changes in the brain during memory formation. Brain transcriptome analysis reveals a general downregulation of protein-coding genes, including asparagine synthetase and actin, and upregulation of ncRNAs. miRNA-mRNA network predictions together with PCR validation suggest miRNAs including miR-210 and miR-932 target the downregulated protein-coding genes. Feeding cholesterol-conjugated antisense RNA to bees results in the inhibition of miR-210 and of miR-932. Loss of miR-932 impairs long-term memory formation, but not memory acquisition. Functional analyses show that miR-932 interacts with Act5C, providing evidence for direct regulation of actin expression by an miRNA. An activity-dependent increase in miR-932 expression may therefore control actin-related plasticity mechanisms and affect memory formation in the brain. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/03171-5 - Causal analysis of Apis mellifera development: regulatory genes and hierachical networks of gene expression in the specification of tissue and organs
Grantee:Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 12/02061-4 - Validation of miRNAs and mRNAs-target interactions involved in nervous system development in female embryos of Apis mellifera
Grantee:Flávia Cristina de Paula Freitas
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate