The Regulation of Cell Fate Determinants by the microRNA, miR-190, During Asymmetric Cell Division in Drosophila Neuroblasts
Author: Leilani Contreras
Faculty Supervisor: Blake Riggs
Department: Biology
Neurons in the Drosophila brain undergo asymmetric cell division (ACD) which gives rise to two daughter cells with two separate identities, where one develops into the Ganglion Mother Cell (GMC) which gives rise to a final specified cell type, this known as cell fate determination. This process is facilitated by proteins known as cell fate determinants. The mechanism of ACD is highly conserved, however, the organization and regulation of cell fate determinants is poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a role in cell fate specification and differentiation by modulating gene expression post-transcriptionally by inhibiting mRNA translation or inducing mRNA degradation. We hypothesize that the miRNA, miR-190, regulates cell fate determinants during ACD. Our data highlights some of the main players that are potentially regulated by miR-190 to induce more differentiated cells. Our findings suggest that miR-190 is a crucial regulator of cell fate by targeting Prospero mRNA and preventing translation. Our results and future directions will help understand how cell fate determination is established by helping close the gap in knowledge regarding how cellular fate determination occurs and how miRNAs can assist undifferentiated cells in obtaining their specified cell type.