RNA recognition and translational regulation by a homeodomain protein.
In Drosophila, the primary determinant of anterior pattern is the gradient morphogen bicoid (bcd), a homeodomain protein that binds DNA and transcriptionally activates target genes at different threshold concentrations. Here we present evidence that bcd also binds RNA and acts as a translational repressor to generate an opposing gradient of the homeodomain protein caudal (cad). RNA binding by bcd seems to involve direct interactions between the bcd homeodomain and discrete target sequences within the 3' untranslated region of the cad messenger RNA and to block the initiation of cad translation.
Dubnau
J
J
Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Struhl
G
G
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010442:Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C056478:bcd protein, Drosophila; C084564:cad protein, Drosophila; D004247:DNA