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Microtubule-dependent mRNA transport in the model microorganism Ustilago maydis

Evelyn Vollmeister1, Kerstin Schipper, Michael Feldbrügge

  • 1Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Düsseldorf, Germany.

RNA Biology
|February 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Microtubule-dependent mRNA transport is crucial for cell function. The fungus Ustilago maydis offers a simple model system to study these mechanisms, revealing novel insights into RNA transport and secretion.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Microtubule-dependent trafficking is vital for long-distance mRNA transport, regulating polarity and protein secretion in eukaryotes.
  • Studied in models like Drosophila, Xenopus, and mammalian cells, a simpler system was needed to elucidate fundamental mechanisms.
  • Fungal models, particularly Ustilago maydis, are advantageous due to ease of generating transgenic strains for in vivo studies at native expression levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize progress in understanding microtubule-dependent mRNA trafficking in Ustilago maydis.
  • To highlight Ustilago maydis as a suitable eukaryotic model for studying mRNA transport.
  • To discuss novel mechanisms and implications of mRNA transport.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on identifying target mRNAs, RNA localization elements, and RNA-binding proteins.
  • Analysis of messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs), molecular motors, and microtubule organization.
  • Utilizing Ustilago maydis as a model organism for in vivo studies.

Main Results:

  • Ustilago maydis demonstrates key criteria for modeling microtubule-dependent mRNA trafficking.
  • Progress has been made in characterizing target mRNAs, RNA localization elements, RNA-binding proteins, and mRNPs.
  • Novel findings include mRNP hitchhiking on endosomes and a link to unconventional secretion.

Conclusions:

  • Ustilago maydis serves as a powerful and simple eukaryotic model for microtubule-dependent mRNA trafficking.
  • The study reveals a novel mechanism of mRNP hitchhiking on endosomes.
  • An unexpected connection between mRNA transport and unconventional secretion has been identified, with potential applications.

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