Kennerdell JR, et al 2002 reported that RNAi is activated during Drosophila oocyte maturation in a manner dependent on aubergine and spindle-E.
Gene silencing by double-stranded RNA is a widespread phenomenon called RNAi,
involving homology-dependent degradation of mRNAs. The authors show that RNAi is
established in the Drosophila female germ line. mRNA transcripts are translationally
quiescent at the arrested oocyte stage and are insensitive to RNAi. Upon oocyte
maturation, transcripts that are translated become sensitive to degradation while
untranslated transcripts remain resistant. Mutations in aubergine and spindleE,
members of the PIWI/PAZ and DE-H helicase gene families, respectively, block
RNAi activation during egg maturation and perturb translation control during
oogenesis, supporting a connection between gene silencing and translation in the
oocyte.
General function
Cell proliferation, RNA processing
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Cellular localization
Cytoplasmic
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Oocyte
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Aubergine is a component of a nanos mRNA localization complex. Becalska AN et al. Localization of nanos (nos) mRNA to the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte is essential for abdominal segmentation and germline development during embryogenesis. Posterior localization is mediated by a complex cis-acting localization signal in the nos 3' untranslated region that comprises multiple partially redundant elements. Genetic analysis suggests that this signal is recognized by RNA-binding proteins and associated factors that package nos mRNA into a localization competent ribonucleoprotein complex. However, functional redundancy among localization elements has made the identification of individual localization factors difficult. Indeed, only a single direct-acting nos localization factor, Rumpelstiltskin (Rump), has been identified thus far. Through a sensitized genetic screen, we have now identified the Argonaute family member Aubergine (Aub) as a nos localization factor. Aub interacts with nos mRNA in vivo and co-purifies with Rump in an RNA-dependent manner. Our results support a role for Aub, independent of its function in RNA silencing, as a component of a nos mRNA localization complex.