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Smaug, a novel and conserved protein, contributes to repression of nanos mRNA translation in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2001

CRAIG A. SMIBERT
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020, USA Present address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
YUNG S. LIE
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020, USA
WENDY SHILLINGLAW
Affiliation:
Protein Chemistry Department, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
WILLIAM J. HENZEL
Affiliation:
Protein Chemistry Department, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
PAUL M. MACDONALD
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020, USA
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Abstract

Proper deployment of Nanos protein at the posterior of the Drosophila embryo, where it directs posterior development, requires a combination of RNA localization and translational controls. These controls ensure that only the posteriorly-localized nanos mRNA is translated, whereas unlocalized nanos mRNA is translationally repressed. Here we describe cloning of the gene encoding Smaug, an RNA-binding protein that interacts with the sequences, SREs, in the nanos mRNA that mediate translational repression. Using an in vitro translation assay, we demonstrate that SRE-dependent repression occurs in extracts from early stage embryos. Immunodepletion of Smaug from the extracts eliminates repression, consistent with the notion that Smaug is involved. Smaug is a novel gene and the existence of potential mammalian Smaug homologs raises the possibility that Smaug represents a new class of conserved translational repressor.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 RNA Society

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