Kajal, K., Rastegari, E., Wang, W.D., Li, J.C., Chen, C.H., Chou, W.H., Chang, W.C., Lin, T.Y., Tsai, K., Lu, T.M., Venkatachalam, K., Hsu, H.J. (2026). Wdr4 regulates ribosome biogenesis and intestinal homeostasis via let-7.  EMBO Rep. 27(8): 1870--1903.

FBrf0265223

Research paper

Proper regulation of ribosome biogenesis is essential for stem cell function and tissue homeostasis, yet its upstream control in adult intestinal stem cells (ISCs) remains unclear. Here, we identify the WD repeat protein Wdr4 as a key regulator of ISC homeostasis in the Drosophila midgut. Wdr4 cooperates with the methyltransferase Mettl1 to catalyze N[7]-methylguanosine (m[7]G) modification of let-7 miRNA. Wdr4 or Mettl1 depletion disrupts this modification, reducing let-7 levels and aberrantly activating TOR-JNK-dMyc signaling. This drives elevated ribosome biogenesis, ISC overproliferation, misdifferentiation, and intestinal dysplasia. Overexpression of let-7, inhibition of TOR, or suppression of JNK rescues these defects. Importantly, expression of human WDR4 and METTL1, but not catalytic-dead METTL1 mutant, restores ISC homeostasis in Wdr4- and Mettl1-depleted flies, establishing a conserved Wdr4/Mettl1-let-7-TOR-JNK axis that links miRNA modification to translational control and tissue integrity. Together, our findings uncover a previously unrecognized function of miRNA m[7]G methylation in regulating ribosome biogenesis and maintaining intestinal homeostasis.

PMC13121520 (PMC) (EuropePMC)