Kinesin II mediates Vg1 mRNA transport in Xenopus oocytes.
The subcellular localization of specific mRNAs is a widespread mechanism for regulating gene expression. In Xenopus oocytes microtubules are required for localization of Vg1 mRNA to the vegetal cortex during the late RNA localization pathway. The factors that mediate microtubule-based RNA transport during the late pathway have been elusive. Here we show that heterotrimeric kinesin II becomes enriched at the vegetal cortex of stage III/IV Xenopus oocytes concomitant with the localization of endogenous Vg1 mRNA. In addition, expression of a dominant negative mutant peptide fragment or injection of a function-blocking antibody, both of which impair the function of heterotrimeric kinesin II, block localization of Vg1 mRNA. We also show that exogenous Vg1 RNA or Xcat-2, another RNA that can use the late pathway, recruits endogenous kinesin II to the vegetal pole and colocalizes with it at the cortex. These data support a model in which kinesin II mediates the transport of specific RNA complexes destined for the vegetal cortex.
Betley
J Nicholas
JN
Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Heinrich
Bianca
B
Vernos
Isabelle
I
Sardet
Christian
C
Prodon
Francois
F
Deshler
James O
JO
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016547:Kinesins; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014981:Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C513103:GDF1 protein, Xenopus; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499376:XKLP3 protein, Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C074152:kinesin-II; D016547:Kinesins