The Spinal Muscular Atrophy disease protein Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) operates as part of a multiprotein complex whose components also include Gemins 2-8 and Unrip. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is thought to have a slightly smaller SMN complex comprised of SMN, Gemin2/3/5 and, possibly, Unrip. Based upon in vivo interaction methods, we have identified novel interacting partners of the Drosophila SMN complex with homologies to Gemin4/6/7/8. The Gemin4 and Gemin8 orthologues are required for neuromuscular function and survival. The Gemin6/7/Unrip module can be recruited via the SMN-associated Gemin8, hence mirroring the human SMN complex architecture. Our findings lead us to propose that an elaborate SMN complex that is typical in metazoans is also present in Drosophila.
Keywords: Gaulos; Gemin3; Gemin7; Hezron; Sabbat; Valette.
© 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.