摘要：SummarySleep circuitry evolved to have both dedicated and context-dependent modulatory elements. Identifying modulatory subcircuits and understanding their molecular machinery is a major challenge for the sleep field. Previously, we identified 25 sleep-regulating microRNAs inDrosophila melanogaster, including the developmentally important microRNAbantam. Here we show thatbantamacts in the adult to promote early nighttime sleep through a population of glutamatergic neurons that is intimately involved in applying contextual information to behaviors, the γ5β′2a/β′2mp/β′2mp_bilateral Mushroom Body Output Neurons (MBONs). Calcium imaging revealed that bantam inhibits the activity of these cells during the early night, but not the day. Blocking synaptic transmission in these MBONs rescued the effect ofbantamknockdown. This suggestsbantampromotes early night sleep via inhibition of the γ5β′2a/β′2mp/β′2mp_bilateral MBONs. RNAseq identifiesKelchandCCHamide-2 receptoras possible mediators, establishing a new role forbantamas an active regulator of sleep and neural activity in the adult fly.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•ThebantammicroRNA has both developmental and adult roles in the regulation of sleep•Bantampromotes early nighttime sleep in adult 5β′2a/β′2mp/β′2mp_bilateral MBONs•Bantamsuppresses MBON neuronal activity specifically in the early nighttime•Suppressing activity of 5β′2a/β′2mp/β′2mp_bilateral MBONs rescuesbanknockdownMolecular physiology; Neuroscience; Cell biology
