Long noncoding RNA SMRG regulates Drosophila macrochaetes by antagonizing scute through E(spl)mβ. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Mengbo; Xiang, Yuanhang; Liu, Xiaojun; Bai, Baoyan; Chen, Runsheng; Liu, Li; Li, Meixia
• Is Part Of: RNA biology. Volume 16:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Mechanoreceptor -- development -- long noncoding RNA -- Drosophila; RNA -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology; RNA; Periodicals; 572.8805
• DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1556148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1547-6286

Abstract

ABSTRACT: It is obvious that the majority of cellular transcripts are long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Although studies suggested that lncRNAs participate in many biological processes through diverse mechanisms, however, little is known about their effects on epidermal mechanoreceptors. Here, we identified one novel Drosophila lncRNA, Scutellar Macrochaetes Regulatory Gene ( SMRG ), which regulates scutellar macrochaetes that act as mechanoreceptors by antagonizing the proneural gene scute ( sc ), through the repressor Enhancer-of-split mβ (E(spl)mβ). SMRG deficiency induced supernumerary scutellar macrochaetes and simultaneously a high sc RNA level in the adult thorax. Genetically, sc overexpression enhanced this supernumerary phenotype, while heterozygous sc mutant rescued this phenotype, both of which were mediated by E(spl)mβ. At the molecular level, SMRG recruited E(spl)mβ to the sc promoter region, which in turn suppressed sc expression. Our work presents a novel function of lncRNA and offers insights into the molecular mechanism underlying mechanoreceptor development.