Two MicroRNAs Are Sufficient for Embryonic Patterning in C. elegans

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.066
• Publication Date: 2020-10-30T06:38:27Z
• Authors: Philipp J. Dexheimer; Jingkui Wang; Luisa Cochella
• Keywords: Drosha; Pasha; Dicer; Ribonuclease III

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of post-transcriptional repressors with diverse roles in animal development and physiology [1]. The Microprocessor complex, composed Drosha Pasha/DGCR8, is necessary for the biogenesis all canonical miRNAs essential early stages embryogenesis [2-8]. However, cause this requirement largely unknown. Animals often express hundreds miRNAs, it remains unclear whether required to produce one or few many individually non-essential miRNAs. Additionally, both Pasha/DGCR8 bind cleave variety non-miRNA substrates [9-15], unknown these activities account Microprocessor's requirement. To distinguish between possibilities, we developed system C. elegans stringently deplete embryos activity. Using combination auxin-inducible degradation (AID) RNA interference (RNAi), achieved depletion starting maternal germline, resulting miRNA-depleted embryos, which fail undergo morphogenesis form organs. Microprocessor-bypass strategy, show that embryonic arrest rescued by addition just two miR-35 miR-51 family member, morphologically normal larvae. Thus, out ∼150 sufficient organogenesis, processing accounts during development. VIDEO ABSTRACT.