A common translational control mechanism functions in axial patterning and neuroendocrine signaling in Drosophila.
Translational repression of maternal nanos (nos) mRNA by a cis-acting Translational Control Element (TCE) in the nos 3'UTR is critical for anterior-posterior patterning of the Drosophila embryo. We show, through ectopic expression experiments, that the nos TCE is capable of repressing gene expression at later stages of development in neuronal cells that regulate the molting cycle. Our results predict additional targets of TCE-mediated repression within the nervous system. They also suggest that mechanisms that regulate maternal mRNAs, like TCE-mediated repression, may function more widely during development to spatially or temporally control gene expression.
Clark
Ira E
IE
Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
Dobi
Krista C
KC
Duchow
Heather K
HK
Vlasak
Anna N
AN
Gavis
Elizabeth R
ER
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C052130:GAL4 protein, S cerevisiae; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C070574:nos protein, Drosophila