Proteins rather than mRNAs regulate nucleation and persistence of Oskar germ granules in Drosophila

Harrison A. Curnutte; Xinyue Lan; Manuel Sargen; Si Man Ao Ieong; Dylan Campbell; Hyosik Kim; Yijun Liao; Sarah Bailah Lazar; Tatjana Trcek

Cell Reports (Jul 2023)

Proteins rather than mRNAs regulate nucleation and persistence of Oskar germ granules in Drosophila

Harrison A. Curnutte,
Xinyue Lan,
Manuel Sargen,
Si Man Ao Ieong,
Dylan Campbell,
Hyosik Kim,
Yijun Liao,
Sarah Bailah Lazar,
Tatjana Trcek

Affiliations

Harrison A. Curnutte: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Xinyue Lan: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Manuel Sargen: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Si Man Ao Ieong: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Dylan Campbell: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Hyosik Kim: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Yijun Liao: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Sarah Bailah Lazar: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Tatjana Trcek: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 42, no. 7
p. 112723

Abstract

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Summary: RNA granules are membraneless condensates that provide functional compartmentalization within cells. The mechanisms by which RNA granules form are under intense investigation. Here, we characterize the role of mRNAs and proteins in the formation of germ granules in Drosophila. Super-resolution microscopy reveals that the number, size, and distribution of germ granules is precisely controlled. Surprisingly, germ granule mRNAs are not required for the nucleation or the persistence of germ granules but instead control their size and composition. Using an RNAi screen, we determine that RNA regulators, helicases, and mitochondrial proteins regulate germ granule number and size, while the proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear pore complex, and cytoskeleton control their distribution. Therefore, the protein-driven formation of Drosophila germ granules is mechanistically distinct from the RNA-dependent condensation observed for other RNA granules such as stress granules and P-bodies.

CP: Cell biology

Published in Cell Reports

ISSN: 2211-1247 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/home

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