Are the Requirements for microRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing Uniform Across Different Cell Types and Developmental Time Points?

TL;DRAbstract

We aim to experimentally determine which genes are essential in microRNA mediated gene silencing using Drosophila melanogaster. MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that silence genes, but all of the genes necessary for miRNAs to function have not been identified. A forward genetics screen was performed using a reporter system with green fluorescent protein and an eye specific enhancer. The reporter is known to be regulated by miRNAs, so flies with defects in silencing can be identified by increased GFP fluorescence. Subsequent experiments have focused on identifying the mutations generated in the screen, and categorizing the role of the corresponding genes in silencing. However, this screen only identified mutations that cause defects in silencing in adult eye tissue. Our lab is frequently asked whether silencing has the same requirements in different tissues and at a different developmental time point. To address this question, we generated a new approach to view silencing. W

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