spn-F encodes a novel protein that affects oocyte patterning and bristle morphology in Drosophila.
The anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes of the Drosophila embryo are established during oogenesis through the activities of Gurken (Grk), a Tgfalpha-like protein, and the Epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr). spn-F mutant females produce ventralized eggs similar to the phenotype produced by mutations in the grk-Egfr pathway. We found that the ventralization of the eggshell in spn-F mutants is due to defects in the localization and translation of grk mRNA during mid-oogenesis. Analysis of the microtubule network revealed defects in the organization of the microtubules around the oocyte nucleus. In addition, spn-F mutants have defective bristles. We cloned spn-F and found that it encodes a novel coiled-coil protein that localizes to the minus end of microtubules in the oocyte, and this localization requires the microtubule network and a Dynein heavy chain gene. We also show that Spn-F interacts directly with the Dynein light chain Ddlc-1. Our results show that we have identified a novel protein that affects oocyte axis determination and the organization of microtubules during Drosophila oogenesis.
Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel. abdu@bgu.ac.il
Uri
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Abdu
Dikla
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Trudi
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Schüpbach
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004527:Egg Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; C510862:Spn-F protein, Drosophila; C015753:chorion proteins