Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Measurement of Poly A Tail Length from Drosophila Larva Brain and Cell Line
08:16

Measurement of Poly A Tail Length from Drosophila Larva Brain and Cell Line

Published on: January 12, 2024

PAP- and GLD-2-type poly(A) polymerases are required sequentially in cytoplasmic polyadenylation and oogenesis in

Perrine Benoit1, Catherine Papin, Jae Eun Kwak

  • 1mRNA Regulation and Development, Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|April 25, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Two distinct poly(A) polymerases, Wispy (a GLD-2 type) and canonical PAP, regulate cytoplasmic polyadenylation in Drosophila oogenesis. Wispy is crucial for later stages, while PAP is essential for earlier steps, both interacting with Orb.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is vital for activating maternal mRNA translation during early development.
  • In vertebrates, this process involves CPEB and the GLD-2 poly(A) polymerase.
  • Canonical poly(A) polymerases (PAPs) are distinct from GLD-2 type polymerases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the GLD-2 type poly(A) polymerase in Drosophila oogenesis.
  • To determine the specific functions of Wispy and canonical PAP in relation to oogenesis stages and the CPEB protein Orb.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized tethering assays and in vivo studies to assess Wispy's poly(A) polymerase activity.
  • Conducted genetic interaction studies to analyze the interplay between Wispy, PAP, and Orb.
  • Performed co-immunoprecipitation to investigate physical interactions within an ovarian complex.

Main Results:

  • Identified Wispy as the Drosophila GLD-2 type poly(A) polymerase in the female germline.
  • Demonstrated Wispy's role in cytoplasmic polyadenylation of specific mRNAs during late oogenesis and early embryogenesis.
  • Showed Wispy is essential for meiotic arrest and progression, while canonical PAP functions in earlier oogenesis stages.
  • Confirmed both Wispy and PAP interact genetically and physically with Orb.

Conclusions:

  • Two distinct poly(A) polymerases, Wispy and canonical PAP, operate in the female germline for cytoplasmic polyadenylation.
  • Each polymerase is specifically required for different, sequential stages of oogenesis.
  • Wispy and PAP function in a complex with Orb, highlighting a coordinated regulatory mechanism.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Drosophila Polytene Chromosome Squashes for Antibody Labeling06:37

Preparation of Drosophila Polytene Chromosome Squashes for Antibody Labeling

Published on: February 9, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
Transcription Initiation01:47

Transcription Initiation

Initiation is the first step of transcription in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase (RNAP) can bind to the template DNA and start transcribing. On the other hand, transcription in eukaryotes requires additional proteins, called transcription factors, to first bind to the promoter region in the DNA template. This binding helps recruit the specific RNAP that can assemble on the DNA and start transcription.
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
The Replisome03:01

The Replisome

DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with the...