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Core components of endosomal mRNA transport are evolutionarily conserved in fungi

Jessica Müller1, Thomas Pohlmann1, Michael Feldbrügge1

  • 1Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany.

Fungal Genetics and Biology : FG & B
|February 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Endosomal mRNA transport, crucial for protein expression, is conserved across diverse fungal phyla. Key RNA-binding proteins shuttle on endosomes, indicating a wider distribution of this transport mechanism than previously known.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Active mRNA transport ensures precise protein localization in cells.
  • Microtubule-dependent endosomal transport of mRNA is well-documented in fungi, particularly in *Ustilago maydis*.
  • This transport mechanism was previously thought to be limited to specific fungal lineages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary conservation of endosomal mRNA transport machinery in fungi.
  • To identify core components and key proteins involved in this process across different fungal phyla.
  • To determine if endosomal mRNA transport extends beyond the previously studied fungal groups.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics to identify orthologous genes in distantly related fungal species.
  • Bioimaging techniques to visualize the localization and movement of RNA-binding proteins within fungal hyphae.
  • Molecular biology techniques to study the function of identified orthologues.

Main Results:

  • Distinct core components of the endosomal mRNA transport machinery are evolutionarily conserved in fungal species from the Mucoromycota phylum.
  • Orthologues of the RNA-binding protein Rrm4 from *Coprinopsis cinerea* and *Rhizophagus irregularis* were observed to shuttle on endosomes in *Ustilago maydis* hyphae.
  • These findings suggest that endosomal mRNA transport is a more widespread phenomenon in fungi than previously understood.

Conclusions:

  • Endosomal mRNA transport is an evolutionarily conserved process in fungi, extending to distantly related phyla.
  • The identified conserved components, including Rrm4 orthologues, play a crucial role in this transport mechanism.
  • This study broadens the understanding of mRNA localization strategies in the fungal kingdom.
Keywords:
EndosomeFYVEPAM2RNA recognition motifRNA transport

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