Receptor-mediated yolk uptake is required for oskar mRNA localization and cortical anchorage of germ plasm components in the Drosophila oocyte

The Drosophila germ plasm is responsible for germ cell formation. Its assembly begins with localization of oskar mRNA to the posterior pole of the oocyte. The oskar translation produces 2 isoforms with distinct functions: short Oskar recruits germ plasm components, whereas long Oskar remodels actin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS biology 2021-04, Vol.19 (4), p.e3001183-e3001183
Main Authors: Tanaka, Tsubasa, Tani, Naoki, Nakamura, Akira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abbreviations
Actin
Analysis
Anchorages
Apolipoprotein B
Biology and Life Sciences
Cell fate
Cytogenetics
Drosophila
Embryogenesis
Embryology
Embryonic growth stage
Embryos
Endocytosis
Galactosidase
Gametocytes
Genetic aspects
Genetics
Germplasm
Insects
Kinesin
Ligands
Localization
Low density lipoprotein receptors
Medical research
Medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Messenger RNA
mRNA
Muscle proteins
Nutrient uptake
Nutrition
Oocytes
Oogenesis
Ovaries
Pattern formation
Physiological aspects
Proteins
Receptor density
Receptors
Research and Analysis Methods
Research facilities
Short Reports
Yolk
β-Galactosidase
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Summary:The Drosophila germ plasm is responsible for germ cell formation. Its assembly begins with localization of oskar mRNA to the posterior pole of the oocyte. The oskar translation produces 2 isoforms with distinct functions: short Oskar recruits germ plasm components, whereas long Oskar remodels actin to anchor the components to the cortex. The mechanism by which long Oskar anchors them remains elusive. Here, we report that Yolkless, which facilitates uptake of nutrient yolk proteins into the oocyte, is a key cofactor for long Oskar. Loss of Yolkless or depletion of yolk proteins disrupts the microtubule alignment and oskar mRNA localization at the posterior pole of the oocyte, whereas microtubule-dependent localization of bicoid mRNA to the anterior and gurken mRNA to the anterior-dorsal corner remains intact. Furthermore, these mutant oocytes do not properly respond to long Oskar, causing defects in the actin remodeling and germ plasm anchoring. Thus, the yolk uptake is not merely the process for nutrient incorporation, but also crucial for oskar mRNA localization and cortical anchorage of germ plasm components in the oocyte.
ISSN:1545-7885
1544-9173
1545-7885
DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.3001183