Micro<scp>RNA</scp>s <i>mir‐184</i> and <i>let‐7</i> alter <i>Drosophila</i> metabolism and longevity

Abstract

Summary Micro RNA s (mi RNA s) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression associated with many complex biological processes. By comparing mi RNA expression between long‐lived cohorts of Drosophila melanogaster that were fed a low‐nutrient diet with normal‐lived control animals fed a high‐nutrient diet, we identified miR‐184 , let‐7 , miR‐125 , and miR‐100 as candidate mi RNA s involved in modulating aging. We found that ubiquitous, adult‐specific overexpression of these individual mi RNA s led to significant changes in fat metabolism and/or lifespan. Most impressively, adult‐specific overexpression of let‐7 in female nervous tissue increased median fly lifespan by ~22%. We provide evidence that this lifespan extension is not due to alterations in nutrient intake or to decreased insulin signaling.