Localization of bicoid mRNA to the anterior of the Drosophila oocyte is essential to produce the Bicoid protein gradient that patterns the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo. Previous studies have characterized a microtubule-dependent pathway for bicoid mRNA localization during midoogenesis, when bicoid first accumulates at the anterior. We show that the majority of bicoid is actually localized later in oogenesis, when the only known mechanism for mRNA localization is based on passive trapping. Through live imaging of fluorescently tagged endogenous bicoid mRNA, we identify a temporally distinct pathway for bicoid localization in late oocytes that utilizes a specialized subpopulation of anterior microtubules and dynein. The directional movement of bicoid RNA particles within the oocyte observed here is consistent with dynein-mediated transport. Furthermore, our results indicate that association of bicoid with the anterior oocyte cortex is dynamic and support a model for maintenance of bicoid localization by continual active transport on microtubules.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2006.06.006 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Pitx2 suppression at meiotic stages associates with seasonal inhibition of testis development in Rattus norvegicus caraco.
Integr Zool
May 2023
State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Key Laboratory of Weed and Rodent Biology and Management, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
The bicoid-related transcription factor 2 (Pitx2) plays a crucial role in the development of many organs and tissues by affecting the mitotic cell cycle. Postnatal testis development is related to mitosis and meiosis in multiple cell types, but the role of Pitx2 gene in seasonal inhibition of testicular development remains unknown in rodents. We analyzed PITX2 protein and Pitx2 mRNA expression features using both laboratory and wild male Rattus norvegicus caraco.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPseudocleavage furrows restrict plasma membrane-associated PH domain in syncytial Drosophila embryos.
Biophys J
June 2022
Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pashan, Pune, India. Electronic address:
Syncytial cells contain multiple nuclei and have local distribution and function of cellular components despite being synthesized in a common cytoplasm. The syncytial Drosophila blastoderm embryo shows reduced spread of organelle and plasma membrane-associated proteins between adjacent nucleo-cytoplasmic domains. Anchoring to the cytoarchitecture within a nucleo-cytoplasmic domain is likely to decrease the spread of molecules; however, its role in restricting this spread has not been assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Drosophila anterior-posterior axis is polarized by asymmetric myosin activation.
Curr Biol
January 2022
The Gurdon Institute and the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK. Electronic address:
The Drosophila anterior-posterior axis is specified at mid-oogenesis when the Par-1 kinase is recruited to the posterior cortex of the oocyte, where it polarizes the microtubule cytoskeleton to define where the axis determinants, bicoid and oskar mRNAs, localize. This polarity is established in response to an unknown signal from the follicle cells, but how this occurs is unclear. Here we show that the myosin chaperone Unc-45 and non-muscle myosin II (MyoII) are required upstream of Par-1 in polarity establishment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdaptable P body physical states differentially regulate bicoid mRNA storage during early Drosophila development.
Dev Cell
October 2021
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. Electronic address:
Ribonucleoprotein condensates can exhibit diverse physical states in vitro and in vivo. Despite considerable progress, the relevance of condensate physical states for in vivo biological function remains limited. Here, we investigated the physical properties of processing bodies (P bodies) and their impact on mRNA storage in mature Drosophila oocytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantification reveals early dynamics in Drosophila maternal gradients.
PLoS One
November 2021
Computer Science and CEWIT, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America.
Article Synopsis
- The Bicoid (Bcd) protein is essential for determining the anterior-posterior axis in Drosophila embryos, creating a concentration gradient that influences cell fates based on its local levels.
- Research employs confocal microscopy to analyze the distribution and dynamics of bcd mRNA and Staufen (Stau) protein, which is crucial for bcd transport, helping to track developmental changes across three early stages of embryogenesis.
- Analysis reveals distinct exponential patterns in the bcd profiles that allow for differentiation between early developmental stages, highlighting the coordinated changes in bcd and Stau during the initial hour of development.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!