Uridylation of RNA-hairpins by Tailor confines the emergence of novel miRNAs in Drosophila
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ABSTRACT: Uridylation of diverse RNA species represents an emerging theme in post-transcriptional gene regulation. In the microRNA pathway, such modifications regulate small RNA biogenesis and stability in plants, worms and mammals. Here, we report the first uridylyltransferase that acts on small RNAs in Drosophila, which we refer to as Tailor. Tailor is the source for the majority of 3´ terminal uridine-modifications in small RNAs and predominantly targets precursor-miRNAs. Uridylation modulates the characteristic two-nucleotide 3´ overhangs of miRNA hairpins, which regulates pre-miRNA processing by Dicer-1. Furthermore, Tailor preferentially uridylates mirtron hairpins, thereby impeding the production of non-canonical microRNAs. Mirtron-selectivity is explained by unique primary sequence specificity of Tailor, selecting RNA substrates ending with a 3´ guanosine, a feature not previously observed for terminal uridylyltransferases. In contrast to mirtrons, conserved Drosophila pre-miRNAs are significantly depleted in 3´ guanosine, thereby escaping regulatory uridylation.Our data support the hypothesis that evolutionary adaptation to pre-miRNA uridylation shapes the nucleotide composition of pre-miRNA 3´ ends and may serve as a barrier for the de novo creation of miRNAs in Drosophila.
ORGANISM(S): synthetic construct Drosophila melanogaster
PROVIDER: GSE66213 | GEO | 2015/10/19
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA276111
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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