Target-specific requirements for enhancers of decapping in miRNA-mediated gene silencing

Genes Dev. 2007 Oct 15;21(20):2558-70. doi: 10.1101/gad.443107. Epub 2007 Sep 27.

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) silence gene expression by suppressing protein production and/or by promoting mRNA decay. To elucidate how silencing is accomplished, we screened an RNA interference library for suppressors of miRNA-mediated regulation in Drosophila melanogaster cells. In addition to proteins known to be required for miRNA biogenesis and function (i.e., Drosha, Pasha, Dicer-1, AGO1, and GW182), the screen identified the decapping activator Ge-1 as being required for silencing by miRNAs. Depleting Ge-1 alone and/or in combination with other decapping activators (e.g., DCP1, EDC3, HPat, or Me31B) suppresses silencing of several miRNA targets, indicating that miRNAs elicit mRNA decapping. A comparison of gene expression profiles in cells depleted of AGO1 or of individual decapping activators shows that approximately 15% of AGO1-targets are also regulated by Ge-1, DCP1, and HPat, whereas 5% are dependent on EDC3 and LSm1-7. These percentages are underestimated because decapping activators are partially redundant. Furthermore, in the absence of active translation, some miRNA targets are stabilized, whereas others continue to be degraded in a miRNA-dependent manner. These findings suggest that miRNAs mediate post-transcriptional gene silencing by more than one mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • Cell Line
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genes, Reporter
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA Caps / genetics
  • RNA Caps / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • AGO1 protein, Drosophila
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA Caps
  • RNA, Messenger