Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of all developmental processes, including neurogenesis, when the production of large numbers of neurons from a limited number of neural stem cells depends on the precise control of determination, proliferation and differentiation. However, miRNA regulation of target mRNAs is highly promiscuous, a single miRNA can target many mRNAs and vice versa, raising the question of how specificity is achieved to elicit a precise regulatory response. Here we introduce in vivo AGO-APP, a novel approach to purify Argonaute-bound miRNAs directly from living cells and tissues. Using this technology, we isolate actively inhibiting miRNAs from different neural cell populations in the larval Drosophila central nervous system. We identify a defined group of miRNAs that redundantly target all iconic genes known to control the transition from neuroblasts to neurons. In vivo functional studies demonstrate that knockdown of individual miRNAs among this group does not induce detectable cellular phenotypes. However, simultaneous knockdown of multiple miRNAs leads to precocious stem cell differentiation, demonstrating functional interdependence. Our study shows that miRNAs cooperate within a regulatory module to specify the targeted gene network.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE29043: MicroRNAs and their isomiRs function cooperatively to target common biological pathways (Illumina expression beadchip) GSE29100: MicroRNAs and their isomiRs function cooperatively to target common biological pathways (Agilent miRNA array) Refer to individual Series This represents the miRNA placenta samples and mRNA + miRNA pulldown only The miRNA-Seq data have been submitted to the short read archive under SRA number SRP006043: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra?term= SRP006043
Project description:During Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis, a tight regulation of gene expression in time and space is required for the orderly emergence of the various specific cell types. While the general importance of microRNAs in modulating and regulating eukaryotic gene expression has already been well-established, their role in early neurogenesis remains to be addressed. In this survey, we investigate the transcriptional dynamics of microRNAs and their target transcripts during the neurogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. To this end, we use the recently developed DIV-MARIS protocol, a method for enriching specific cell types from the Drosophila embryo in an in vivo setting, to sequence the tissue-specific transcriptomes. We generate dedicated small and total RNA-seq libraries for neuroblasts, neurons and glia cells at an early (6–8 h after egg laying) and late (18–22 h after egg laying) developmental stage. This strategy allows us to directly compare the transcriptomes of these cell types and investigate the potential functional roles of individual microRNAs with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, which is beyond the capabilities of existing in-situ hybridization studies. In total, we identify 74 microRNAs that are significantly differentially expressed between the three cell types and the two developmental stages.
Project description:Physical exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mammals, and is considered a relevant strategy for preventing age-related cognitive decline in aging humans. However, its mechanism is controversial. Here, by investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) and their downstream pathways, we uncover that downregulation of miR-135a-5p mediates exercise-induced proliferation of adult NPCs in adult neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus, likely by activation of phosphatidylinositol (IP3) signaling. Specifically, while overexpression of miR-135 prevents exercise-induced proliferation in the adult mouse hippocampus in vivo and in NPCs in vitro, its inhibition activates NPCs proliferation in resting and aged mice. Label free proteomics and bioinformatics analysis identifies 11 potential targets of miR-135 in NPCs, several of them involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling. Thus, miR-135a is key in mediating exercise-induced adult neurogenesis and opens intriguing perspectives toward the therapeutic exploitation of miR-135 to delay or prevent pathological brain ageing.Physical exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mammals, and is considered a relevant strategy for preventing age-related cognitive decline in aging humans. However, its mechanism is controversial. Here, by investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) and their downstream pathways, we uncover that downregulation of miR-135a-5p mediates exercise-induced proliferation of adult NPCs in adult neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus, likely by activation of phosphatidylinositol (IP3) signaling. Specifically, while overexpression of miR-135 prevents exercise-induced proliferation in the adult mouse hippocampus in vivo and in NPCs in vitro, its inhibition activates NPCs proliferation in resting and aged mice. Label free proteomics and bioinformatics analysis identifies 11 potential targets of miR-135 in NPCs, several of them involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling. Thus, miR-135a is key in mediating exercise-induced adult neurogenesis and opens intriguing perspectives toward the therapeutic exploitation of miR-135 to delay or prevent pathological brain ageing.