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A stem-loop structure directs oskar mRNA to microtubule minus ends

Helena Jambor, Sandra Mueller, Simon L Bullock

    RNA (New York, N.Y.)
    |February 28, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Researchers identified a novel RNA element, the oocyte entry signal (OES), crucial for transporting oskar mRNA into the Drosophila oocyte. This discovery clarifies the initial dynein-dependent phase of mRNA trafficking during oogenesis.

    Area of Science:

    • Developmental Biology
    • Molecular Cell Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Intracellular mRNA transport and translational control are vital for protein localization in eukaryotes.
    • In Drosophila, oskar mRNA localization to the oocyte posterior directs embryonic patterning.
    • Previous studies identified the spliced oskar localization element (SOLE) for kinesin-1 mediated transport within the oocyte.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify the signals responsible for the initial minus end-directed, dynein-dependent transport of oskar mRNA from nurse cells into the oocyte.
    • To elucidate the RNA features mediating this early phase of mRNA transport during oogenesis.

    Main Methods:

    • Identification and functional analysis of a 67-nt stem-loop in the oskar 3' UTR.
    • Assays for mRNA delivery to the developing oocyte and localization in blastoderm stage embryos.
    • Ectopic expression studies in polarized follicular epithelium and salivary gland cells.

    Main Results:

    • A 67-nucleotide stem-loop in the oskar 3' UTR, termed the oocyte entry signal (OES), promotes oskar mRNA delivery into the oocyte.
    • The OES mediates dynein-dependent transport and shares features with the fs(1)K10 oocyte localization signal.
    • The OES drives apical localization of reporter RNAs in various cell types and embryonic stages, independent of cell type.

    Conclusions:

    • Two distinct cis-acting signals, OES and SOLE, mediate sequential dynein- and kinesin-dependent transport phases of oskar mRNA during oogenesis.
    • The OES is a key determinant for the initial, minus end-directed transport of oskar mRNA into the oocyte.
    • The OES promotes mRNA localization via dynein-dependent mechanisms, applicable across different cell types and developmental stages.
    Keywords:
    DrosophilamRNA localizationoocyteoogenesisoskoskar

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