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Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation
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Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation

Published on: March 14, 2014

The nucleolus is involved in mRNA export from the nucleus in fission yeast

Takashi Ideue1, Abul Kalam Azad, Jun-ichi Yoshida

  • 1Department of Biology, Graduate School of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.

Journal of Cell Science
|May 27, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified novel yeast mutants that accumulate poly(A)(+) RNA in the nucleus. These mutants link mRNA export defects to cell division errors, suggesting a role for the nucleolus in mRNA export.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Nuclear mRNA export is crucial for gene expression.
  • Understanding mRNA export mechanisms is vital for cellular function.
  • Previous studies have identified mutants affecting mRNA export.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of mRNA export from the nucleus in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
  • To investigate the relationship between mRNA export defects and the 'cut' (cell untimely torn) phenotype.
  • To explore the potential role of the nucleolus in mRNA export.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants (ptr7-ptr11).
  • Analysis of poly(A)(+) RNA localization in nuclear and cellular compartments.
  • Genetic analysis of mutants exhibiting the 'cut' phenotype.
  • Examination of mRNA export in relation to nuclear division and cytokinesis.

Main Results:

  • Five novel temperature-sensitive mutants (ptr7-ptr11) were isolated, accumulating poly(A)(+) RNA in the nucleus.
  • The ptr11 mutation was identified in the top2(+) gene, encoding DNA topoisomerase II.
  • Mutants with mRNA export defects (ptr4, ptr11) also displayed the 'cut' phenotype, with aberrant cytokinesis.
  • All tested 'cut' mutants accumulated poly(A)(+) mRNA in aberrantly cleaved nuclei.
  • The nuc1 mutant, with a collapsed nucleolus, trapped poly(A)(+) mRNA in the nucleolar region.
  • Export of intron-containing TBP mRNA, but not intron-less TBP cDNA, was impaired in ptr11 and nuc1 mutants.

Conclusions:

  • A subset of mRNAs in yeast may be exported from the nucleus via transient association with the nucleolus.
  • Aberrant cytokinesis and mRNA export defects are linked in certain yeast mutants.
  • The findings suggest a complex interplay between nuclear export, cell division, and nucleolar function.

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