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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster

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A'-form RNA helices are required for cytoplasmic mRNA transport in Drosophila

Simon L Bullock1, Inbal Ringel, David Ish-Horowicz

  • 1Division of Cell Biology, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|May 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Microtubule-based mRNA transport relies on specific RNA structures. Researchers determined the A'-form conformation of a key RNA signal, revealing how motor proteins recognize and transport mRNA cargo.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Microtubule-dependent mRNA transport is crucial for localized protein expression, cell polarity, and neuronal development.
  • The structural mechanisms underlying mRNA localization signal recognition by motor proteins remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the tertiary structure of an RNA element involved in mRNA transport.
  • To understand how motor complexes recognize cis-acting mRNA localization signals.

Main Methods:

  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to determine the three-dimensional structure of the RNA.
  • Structure determination of four mutant RNAs and functional assays in Drosophila embryos were performed.

Main Results:

  • The first tertiary structure of an mRNA transport signal, the Drosophila melanogaster fs(1)K10 signal, was determined.
  • The signal forms a stem loop with two double-stranded RNA helices in an unusual A étaire-form conformation.
  • Mutational analysis and functional assays confirmed that these A étaire-form helices are critical recognition sites for the dynein motor complex.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals the structural basis for RNA cargo recognition by motor proteins.
  • A key biological function is encoded by the A étaire-form RNA conformation, essential for microtubule-based mRNA transport.

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