Work

Sm proteins specify germ cell fate by facilitatingoskarmRNA localization

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Sm and Sm-like proteins are RNA-binding factors found in all three domains of life. Eukaryotic Sm proteins play essential roles in pre-mRNA splicing, forming the cores of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Recently, Sm proteins have been implicated in the specification of germ cells. However, a mechanistic understanding of their involvement in germline specification is lacking and a germline-specific RNA target has not been identified. We demonstrate that Drosophila SmB and SmD3 are specific components of the oskar messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP), proper localization of which is required for establishing germline fate and embryonic patterning. Importantly, oskar mRNA is delocalized in females harboring a hypomorphic mutation in SmD3, and embryos from mutant mothers are defective in germline specification. We conclude that Sm proteins function to establish the germline in Drosophila, at least in part by mediating oskar mRNA localization.

Source: Development

DOI: 10.1242/dev.042721

Authors: Graydon B. Gonsalvez, T. K. Rajendra, Ying Wen, Kavita Praveen, A. Gregory Matera

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Augusta University

Language: English

Topic: RNA Research and Splicing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development