Abstract
Analyses of gene expression profiles in evolutionarily diverse organisms have revealed a role for microRNAs in tuning tissue-specific gene expression. Here, we show that the relatively abundant and constitutively expressed miR-58 family of microRNAs sharply defines the tissue-specific expression of the broadly transcribed gene encoding PMK-2 p38 MAPK in Caenorhabditis elegans. Whereas PMK-2 functions redundantly with PMK-1 in the nervous system to regulate neuronal development and behavioral responses to pathogenic bacteria, the miR-58, miR-80, miR-81, and miR-82 microRNAs function redundantly to destabilize pmk-2 mRNA in non-neuronal cells with switch-like potency. Our data suggest a role for the miR-58 family in the establishment of neuronal-specific gene expression in C. elegans, and support a more general role for microRNAs in the establishment of tissue-specific gene expression.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
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Animals
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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MicroRNAs / genetics*
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MicroRNAs / metabolism
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / biosynthesis*
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics*
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Nervous System / growth & development
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Nervous System / metabolism
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Neurons / metabolism
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Operon
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Organ Specificity
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Phosphorylation
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
Substances
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3' Untranslated Regions
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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MIRN58 microRNA, C elegans
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MIRN80 microRNA, C elegans
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MicroRNAs
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RNA, Messenger
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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Pmk-1 protein, C elegans
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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pmk-2 protein, C elegans