Regulation of miR-219 and its target RalGPS dictates acute synaptic plasticity at the <i>Drosophila</i> neuromuscular junction.

ABSTRACT: RNA regulatory mechanisms mediate adaptive responses requiring rapid gene expression changes. Examining microRNA (miRNA)-mediated control of structural synaptic plasticity, we identified miR-219 and six other conserved miRNAs regulating activity-induced morphogenesis at Drosophila glutamatergic synapses. Among miRNA targets downregulated by acute stimulation, the Ral-activating factor RalGPS is necessary for presynaptic morphogenesis and sufficient to block plasticity. Stimulation elevates miR-219 loading into Argonaute complexes without altering mature miR-219 levels, revealing a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism. We conclude that activity-induced miRNA loading modulates Ral signaling via RalGPS to enable presynaptic remodeling and growth, establishing a novel link between

SUBMITTER: Aavula K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12637423 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature