The actin-binding protein Lasp promotes Oskar accumulation at the posterior pole of the Drosophila embryo

Development. 2009 Jan;136(1):95-105. doi: 10.1242/dev.027698. Epub 2008 Nov 26.

Abstract

During Drosophila oogenesis, Oskar mRNA is transported to the posterior pole of the oocyte, where it is locally translated and induces germ-plasm assembly. Oskar protein recruits all of the components necessary for the establishment of posterior embryonic structures and of the germline. Tight localization of Oskar is essential, as its ectopic expression causes severe patterning defects. Here, we show that the Drosophila homolog of mammalian Lasp1 protein, an actin-binding protein previously implicated in cell migration in vertebrate cell culture, contributes to the accumulation of Oskar protein at the posterior pole of the embryo. The reduced number of primordial germ cells in embryos derived from lasp mutant females can be rescued only with a form of Lasp that is capable of interacting with Oskar, revealing the physiological importance of the Lasp-Oskar interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning*
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism*
  • Microfilament Proteins / chemistry
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • src Homology Domains

Substances

  • Actins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Lasp protein, Drosophila
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • osk protein, Drosophila