title: Maybe repressed mRNAs are not stored in the chromatoid body in mammalian spermatids.
abstract: The chromatoid body is a dynamic organelle that is thought to coordinate the cytoplasmic regulation of mRNA translation and degradation in mammalian spermatids. The chromatoid body is also postulated to function in repression of mRNA translation by sequestering dormant mRNAs where they are inaccessible to the translational apparatus. This review finds no convincing evidence that dormant mRNAs are localized exclusively in the chromatoid body. This discrepancy can be explained by two hypotheses. First, experimental artifacts, possibly related to peculiarities of the structure and function of the chromatoid body, preclude obtaining an accurate indication of mRNA localization. Second, mRNA is not stored in the chromatoid body, because, like perinuclear P granules in Caenorhabditis elegans, the chromatoid body functions as a center for mRNP remodeling and export to other cytoplasmic sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393, USA. kenneth.kleene@umb.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kleene
authors.forename: Danielle L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cullinane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D023121:RNA, Messenger, Stored / Q000378:metabolism*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023121:RNA, Messenger, Stored