Abstract
Local control of mRNA translation modulates neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. A poorly understood aspect of this control is the role and composition of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles that mediate transport and translation of neuronal RNAs. Here, we show that staufen- and FMRP-containing RNPs in Drosophila neurons contain proteins also present in somatic "P bodies," including the RNA-degradative enzymes Dcp1p and Xrn1p/Pacman and crucial components of miRNA (argonaute), NMD (Upf1p), and general translational repression (Dhh1p/Me31B) pathways. Drosophila Me31B is shown to participate (1) with an FMRP-associated, P body protein (Scd6p/trailer hitch) in FMRP-driven, argonaute-dependent translational repression in developing eye imaginal discs; (2) in dendritic elaboration of larval sensory neurons; and (3) in bantam miRNA-mediated translational repression in wing imaginal discs. These results argue for a conserved mechanism of translational control critical to neuronal function and open up new experimental avenues for understanding the regulation of mRNA function within neurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Blotting, Northern
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Blotting, Western / methods
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Caspases / metabolism
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Cells, Cultured
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Central Nervous System / cytology
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Dendrites / metabolism
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Dendrites / physiology
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Drosophila
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
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Exoribonucleases / metabolism
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Eye / metabolism
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Eye / ultrastructure
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Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / metabolism*
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
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Immunohistochemistry / methods
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Larva
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MicroRNAs / metabolism
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Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / methods
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Protein Biosynthesis / physiology
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Protein Transport / physiology
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RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / metabolism
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Ribonucleoproteins / physiology*
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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MicroRNAs
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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RNA-Induced Silencing Complex
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Ribonucleoproteins
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Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
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stau protein, Drosophila
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Exoribonucleases
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pcm protein, Drosophila
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Caspases
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Dcp-1 protein, Drosophila