Profling of the Drosophila melanogaster neuronal microRNA transcriptome by small RNA deep sequencing

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs involved in the coordination and/or fine-tuning of gene expression. As such, miRNAs are thought to be critical cis-acting regulatory factors that control a wide range of physiological processes in the brain. The datasets presented here represent the miRNA transcriptome of the adult and larval Drosophila melanogaster CNS as determined by small RNA deep sequencing (RNA-Seq). They were derived from adult and larval samples explanted from the animal that contain minimal extraneous (non-neuronal) tissues. Here we present a concise summary of our profiling results as well as the original sequencing data. We identify many miRNAs that are expressed at equal levels in both tissues and several that are significantly enriched in the larval and adult brain. Some of these belong to miRNA families with conserved members in mammals. These datasets should provide a good starting point for others interested in characterizing miRNAs with putative functions in Drosophila neurons. Overall design: The datasets presented here represent the miRNA transcriptome of the adult and larval Drosophila melanogaster CNS as determined by small RNA deep sequencing (RNA-Seq).

microRNAs (miRNAs) 是一类小型非编码RNA，参与基因表达的协调与精细调控。因此，miRNAs被视为关键的顺式作用调控因子，可调控大脑内广泛的生理过程。本数据集通过小型RNA深度测序（RNA-Seq）技术，鉴定得到成年及幼虫期黑腹果蝇中枢神经系统（Central Nervous System, CNS）的miRNA转录组信息。这些样本取自果蝇体内分离的组织，仅含极少量无关（非神经元）组织。本研究同时提供表达谱分析的简要总结与原始测序数据。本研究鉴定出多种在两类组织中表达水平相当的miRNAs，以及若干分别在幼虫脑与成年脑中显著富集的miRNAs；其中部分miRNA属于在哺乳动物中存在保守同源成员的miRNA家族。本数据集可为致力于研究黑腹果蝇神经元中推定功能miRNAs的研究者提供良好的研究起点。整体实验设计：本数据集通过小型RNA深度测序（RNA-Seq）技术，鉴定得到成年及幼虫期黑腹果蝇中枢神经系统的miRNA转录组信息。