RNP Assembly and Transport in the Drosophila Oocyte
Event Details
- Type
- Friday Lecture Series
- Speaker(s)
-
Anne Ephrussi, Ph.D., head, Developmental Biology Unit and head, International Center for Advanced Training, European Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Speaker bio(s)
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mRNA localization to specific subcellular sites and structures within cells is a powerful and conserved phenomenon that allows precise spatial and temporal control of protein synthesis. Oskar mRNA localization at the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte is essential for proper patterning of the embryo. Assembly of transport competent oskar mRNPs begins in the nucleus and involves both splicing of the first oskar intron and the four core proteins of the Exon Junction Complex (EJC). In the cytoplasm, oskar mRNPs recruit microtubule motor proteins that transport the mRNA to its destination at the posterior cortex of oocyte. Dr. Ephrussi's lab has shown that, in vitro, the Drosophila EJC is stably deposited on all mRNAs tested including oskar, 20 to 24 nucleotides upstream of exon-exon junctions, as occurs in mammals. Their transgenic analysis has revealed that the importance of splicing of intron 1 is due to its requirement for assembly of a posterior targeting element, the Spliced oskar Localization Element (SOLE), from a bipartite sequence composed of exonic sequences flanking the intron. This element forms a stem-loop structure that is critical for efficient transport of oskar mRNA to the posterior pole. These findings highlight a functional link between the evolutionarily conserved OLS, its proximal EJC and the localization machinery in oskar mRNA transport.
- Open to
- Public
- Host
- Robert Darnell
- Reception
- Refreshments, 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Abby Lounge
- Contact
- Robert Houghtaling
- Phone
- (212) 327-8072
- Sponsor
-
Robert Houghtaling
(212) 327-8072
rhoughtali@rockefeller.edu