Redmond, W., Allen, D., Elledge, M.C., Arellanes, R., Redmond, L., Yeahquo, J., Zhang, S., Youngblood, M., Reiner, A., Seo, J. (2019). Screening of microRNAs controlling body fat in Drosophila melanogaster and identification of miR-969 and its target, Gr47b.  PLoS ONE 14(7): e0219707.

FBrf0242978

Research paper

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein coding RNAs and post-transcriptionally regulate cellular gene expression. In animal development, miRNAs play essential roles such as stem cell maintenance, organogenesis, and apoptosis. Using gain-of-function (GOF) screening with 160 miRNA lines in Drosophila melanogaster, we identified a set of miRNAs which regulates body fat contents and named them microCATs (microRNAs Controlling Adipose Tissue). Further examination of egg-to-adult developmental kinetics of selected miRNA lines showed a negative correlation between fat content and developmental time. Comparison of microCATs with loss-of-function miRNA screening data uncovered miR-969 as an essential regulator of adiposity. Subsequently, we demonstrated adipose tissue-specific knock-down of gustatory receptor 47b (Gr47b), a miR-969 target, greatly reduced the amount of body fat, recapitulating the miR-969 GOF phenotype.

PMC6638924 (PMC) (EuropePMC)