miR-184 controls Dilp8 to regulate pupariation timing in response to developmental perturbations in Drosophila melanogaster

Organismal development relies on the precise coordination of growth and developmental timing, controlled by a complex interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. However, the specific mechanisms governing the regulation of these events still need to be fully understood. Post-transcriptional regulation involving microRNAs play a significant role in ensuring the timely expression of factors coordinating growth and development. MicroRNAs are known to fine-tune gene expression by binding to target mRNAs, thereby buffering fluctuations in gene expression, which could otherwise affect normal development. In Drosophila, miR-184 has been implicated in regulating female germline maturation, and early embryonic development. Here, we demonstrate that miR-184 regulates developmental timing by acting in the imaginal discs of Drosophila larva. Through a combination of genetic and molecular analyses, we have identified Drosophila insulin-like peptide 8 (Dilp8), a paracrine factor crucial for regulating developmental timing in response to abnormal growth of larval imaginal discs, as a functional target of miR-184. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that miR-184 plays a critical role in response to imaginal disc damage by inducing Dilp8 expression. These findings uncover a novel post-transcriptional mechanism during Drosophila development that aids in the responses to tissue damage.