MicroRNA-34 directly targets pair-rule genes and cytoskeleton component in the honey bee

Author(s)

Freitas, Flavia C. P. ; Pires, Camilla V. ; Claudianos, Charles ; Cristino, Alexandre S. ; Simoes, Zila L. P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 7, JAN 18 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of developmental processes, such as cell fate determination and differentiation. Previous studies showed Dicer knockdown in honeybee embryos disrupt the processing of functional mature miRNAs and impairs embryo patterning. Here we investigated the expression profiles of miRNAs in honeybee embryogenesis and the role of the highly conserved miR-34-5p in the regulation of genes involved in insect segmentation. A total of 221 miRNAs were expressed in honey bee embryogenesis among which 97 mature miRNA sequences have not been observed before. Interestingly, we observed a switch in dominance between the 5-prime and 3-prime arm of some miRNAs in different embryonic stages; however, most miRNAs present one dominant arm across all stages of embryogenesis. Our genome-wide analysis of putative miRNA-target networks and functional pathways indicates miR-34-5p is one of the most conserved and connected miRNAs associated with the regulation of genes involved in embryonic patterning and development. In addition, we experimentally validated that miR-34-5p directly interacts to regulatory elements in the 3'-untranslated regions of pair-rule (even-skipped, hairy, fushi-tarazu transcription factor 1) and cytoskeleton (actin5C) genes. Our study suggests that miR-34-5p may regulate the expression of pair-rule and cytoskeleton genes during early development and control insect segmentation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/08150-3 - Profile of gene expression via regulation of embryonic development males of Apis mellifera
• Grantee: Camilla Valente Pires
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 10/08332-4 - Transcriptome analysis of embryonic development in Apis mellifera females
• Grantee: Flávia Cristina de Paula Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate