Drosophila crooked-neck protein co-fractionates in a multiprotein complex with splicing factors

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Aug 16;296(2):288-92. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)00863-x.

Abstract

The Drosophila crooked neck (crn) gene encodes an unusual TPR-containing protein whose function is essential for embryonic development. Homology with other TPR-proteins involved in cell cycle control, initially led to the proposal that Crn might play a critical role in regulation of embryonic cell divisions. Here, we show that Crn does not have a cell cycle function in the embryo. By using specific antibodies we also show that the Crn protein is a nuclear protein which localizes in "speckles" which could correspond to preferential localization of several other splicing factors. Fractionation of nuclear extracts on sucrose gradients revealed Crn in a 900 kDa multiproteic complex together with snRNPs, suggesting that Crn participates in the assembly of the splicing machinery in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Splicing*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • crn protein, Drosophila