Gawky is a component of cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies required for early Drosophila development.
In mammalian cells, the GW182 protein localizes to cytoplasmic bodies implicated in the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability, translation, and the RNA interference pathway. Many of these functions have also been assigned to analogous yeast cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies. We have characterized the single Drosophila melanogaster homologue of the human GW182 protein family, which we have named Gawky (GW). Drosophila GW localizes to punctate, cytoplasmic foci in an RNA-dependent manner. Drosophila GW bodies (GWBs) appear to function analogously to human GWBs, as human GW182 colocalizes with GW when expressed in Drosophila cells. The RNA-induced silencing complex component Argonaute2 and orthologues of LSm4 and Xrn1 (Pacman) associated with 5'-3' mRNA degradation localize to some GWBs. Reducing GW activity by mutation or antibody injection during syncytial embryo development leads to abnormal nuclear divisions, demonstrating an early requirement for GWB-mediated cytoplasmic mRNA regulation. This suggests that gw represents a previously unknown member of a small group of genes that need to be expressed zygotically during early embryo development.
Schneider
Mary D
MD
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G H7, Canada.
Najand
Nima
N
Chaker
Sana
S
Pare
Justin M
JM
Haskins
Julie
J
Hughes
Sarah C
SC
Hobman
Tom C
TC
Locke
John
J
Simmonds
Andrew J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D048750:Cell Nucleus Division; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D022083:Cytoplasmic Structures / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D021381:Protein Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000906:Antibodies; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C513405:Gw protein, Drosophila; D012333:RNA, Messenger