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Mammalian staufen is a double-stranded-RNA- and tubulin-binding protein which localizes to the rough endoplasmic

L Wickham1, T Duchaîne, M Luo

  • 1Departments of Biochemistry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7.

Molecular and Cellular Biology
|February 18, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Staufen (Stau) protein binds double-stranded RNA and tubulin, linking RNA transport to cellular structures. This study reveals Stau

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Staufen (Stau) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein crucial for mRNA transport and localization in Drosophila.
  • Understanding mRNA transport mechanisms in mammals is essential for cellular function.
  • Mammalian Staufen (Stau) proteins are involved in mRNA localization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone human (hStau) and mouse (mStau) staufen cDNAs to investigate mammalian mRNA transport.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Staufen's role in mRNA localization.
  • To determine Staufen's interaction with cytoskeletal components and its cellular localization.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of human and mouse staufen cDNAs.
  • In vitro binding assays to assess dsRNA and tubulin interactions.
  • Immunofluorescent double labeling in transfected mammalian cells to determine Staufen localization.

Main Results:

  • Human Staufen gene produces four transcripts, coding for two proteins with distinct N-terminal regions.
  • In vitro studies showed hStau and mStau bind dsRNA and tubulin, suggesting a cross-linking role between RNA and cytoskeleton.
  • Immunofluorescence revealed Staufen localizes to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in mammalian cells.

Conclusions:

  • Staufen acts as a cross-linker between RNA and cytoskeletal components, specifically microtubules.
  • Staufen's localization to the RER suggests its involvement in mRNA targeting to this organelle.
  • This study demonstrates the association of an RNA-binding protein with the RER, implicating these proteins in RNA transport to the site of translation.

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