A conserved 90 nucleotide element mediates translational repression of nanos RNA.
Correct formation of the Drosophila body plan requires restriction of nanos activity to the posterior of the embryo. Spatial regulation of nanos is achieved by a combination of RNA localization and localization-dependent translation such that only posteriorly localized nanos RNA is translated. Cis-acting sequences that mediate both RNA localization and translational regulation lie within the nanos 3' untranslated region. We have identified a discrete translational control element within the nanos 3' untranslated region that acts independently of the localization signal to mediate translational repression of unlocalized nanos RNA. Both the translational regulatory function of the nanos 3'UTR and the sequence of the translational control element are conserved between D. melanogaster and D. virilis. Furthermore, we show that the RNA helicase Vasa, which is required for nanos RNA localization, also plays a critical role in promoting nanos translation. Our results specifically exclude models for translational regulation of nanos that rely on changes in polyadenylation.
Gavis
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ER
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02142, USA.
Lunsford
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Bergsten
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SE
Lehmann
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R
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020365:RNA Helicases; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D019076:Transgenes
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C091675:osk protein, Drosophila; C070574:nos protein, Drosophila; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases; C088269:vas protein, Drosophila; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D020365:RNA Helicases