Smaug, a novel RNA-binding protein that operates a translational switch in Drosophila
Smaug, a novel RNA-binding protein that operates a translational switch in Drosophila
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DOI：
10.1016/s1097-2765(00)80368-8
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发表时间：
1999-08-01
期刊：
影响因子：
16
通讯作者：
Wharton, RP
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dahanukar, A;Walker, JA;Wharton, RP
在果蝇胚胎发育过程中，从后极发出的一种梯度的Nanos蛋白组织了腹部分段。这种梯度是由Nanos mRNA的翻译调控引起的，Nanos mRNA在胚胎后极的专门细胞质中被激活，而在其他地方被抑制。以前，我们已经在mRNA中定义了介导这种翻译转换的顺式作用元件。在这份报告中，我们发现了一种名为Smaug的因子，它与这些元件结合，并抑制大宗细胞质中的翻译。Smaug与Oskar在遗传和生化上相互作用，Oskar是激活Nanos mRNA和指定生殖系前体的极质的关键成分。这些观察表明，Smaug的翻译开关控制着Nanos蛋白的分布。
During Drosophila embryogenesis, a gradient of Nanos protein emanating from the posterior pole organizes abdominal segmentation. This gradient arises from translational regulation of nanos mRNA, which is activated in the specialized cytoplasm at the posterior pole of the embryo and repressed elsewhere. Previously, we have defined cis-acting elements in the mRNA that mediate this translational switch. In this report, we identify a factor named Smaug that binds to these elements and represses translation in the bulk cytoplasm. Smaug interacts genetically and biochemically with Oskar, a key component of the pole plasm for activation of nanos mRNA and specification of the germline precursors. These observations suggest that Smaug operates a translational switch that governs the distribution of Nanos protein.