TY - CHAP
T1 - The role of microtubule motors in mRNA localization and patterning within the Drosophila oocyte
AU - Goldman, Chandler H.
AU - Gonsalvez, Graydon B.
N1 - Funding Information:
Thanks to members of the Gonsalvez lab for critical reading and input on this manuscript. Projects on mRNA localization and microtubule motors in the Gonsalvez lab are supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R01GM100088).
Publisher Copyright:
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Messenger RNA (mRNA) localization is a powerful and prevalent mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation, enabling the cell to produce protein at the exact location at which it is needed. The phenomenon of mRNA localization has been observed in many types of cells in organisms ranging from yeast to man. Thus, the process appears to be widespread and highly conserved. Several model systems have been used to understand the mechanism by which mRNAs are localized. One such model, and the focus of this chapter, is the egg chamber of the female Drosophila melanogaster. The polarity of the developing Drosophila oocyte and resulting embryo relies on the specific localization of three critical mRNAs: gurken, bicoid, and oskar. If these mRNAs are not localized during oogenesis, the resulting progeny will not survive. The study of these mRNAs has served as a model for understanding the general mechanisms by which mRNAs are sorted. In this chapter, we will discuss how the localization of these mRNAs enables polarity establishment. We will also discuss the role of motor proteins in the localization pathway. Finally, we will consider potential mechanisms by which mRNAs can be anchored at their site of localization. It is likely that the lessons learned using the Drosophila oocyte model system will be applicable to mRNAs that are localized in other organisms as well.
AB - Messenger RNA (mRNA) localization is a powerful and prevalent mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation, enabling the cell to produce protein at the exact location at which it is needed. The phenomenon of mRNA localization has been observed in many types of cells in organisms ranging from yeast to man. Thus, the process appears to be widespread and highly conserved. Several model systems have been used to understand the mechanism by which mRNAs are localized. One such model, and the focus of this chapter, is the egg chamber of the female Drosophila melanogaster. The polarity of the developing Drosophila oocyte and resulting embryo relies on the specific localization of three critical mRNAs: gurken, bicoid, and oskar. If these mRNAs are not localized during oogenesis, the resulting progeny will not survive. The study of these mRNAs has served as a model for understanding the general mechanisms by which mRNAs are sorted. In this chapter, we will discuss how the localization of these mRNAs enables polarity establishment. We will also discuss the role of motor proteins in the localization pathway. Finally, we will consider potential mechanisms by which mRNAs can be anchored at their site of localization. It is likely that the lessons learned using the Drosophila oocyte model system will be applicable to mRNAs that are localized in other organisms as well.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027265331&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85027265331&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-319-60855-6_7
DO - 10.1007/978-3-319-60855-6_7
M3 - Chapter
C2 - 28779317
AN - SCOPUS:85027265331
T3 - Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation
SP - 149
EP - 168
BT - Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation
PB - Springer Verlag
ER -