<i>bicoid</i> mRNA localises to the <i>Drosophila</i> oocyte anterior by random Dynein-mediated transport and anchoring.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 27791980.
- Also identified by DOI 10.7554/eLife.17537 and PMC identifier 5125753.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
<i>bicoid</i> mRNA localises to the <i>Drosophila</i> oocyte anterior from stage 9 of oogenesis onwards to provide a local source for Bicoid protein for embryonic patterning. Live imaging at stage 9 reveals that <i>bicoid</i> mRNA particles undergo rapid Dynein-dependent movements near the oocyte anterior, but with no directional bias. Furthermore, <i>bicoid</i> mRNA localises normally in <i>shot<sup>2A2</sup></i>, which abolishes the polarised microtubule organisation. FRAP and photo-conversion experiments demonstrate that the RNA is stably anchored at the anterior, independently of microtubules. Thus, <i>bicoid</i> mRNA is localised by random active transport and anterior anchoring. Super-resolution imaging reveals that <i>bicoid</i> mRNA forms 110-120 nm particles with variable RNA content, but constant size. These particles appear to be well-defined structures that package the RNA for transport and anchoring.
Medical subject headings
- Drosophila
- Dyneins
- Homeodomain Proteins
- Oocytes
- RNA, Messenger
- Ribonucleoproteins
- Trans-Activators