Published 31 July 2006. doi:10.1083/jcb.200512103
The Rockefeller University Press, 0021-9525 $8.00
JCB, Volume 174, Number 3, 349-358
Gawky is a component of cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies required for early Drosophila development
Mary D. Schneider1,
Nima Najand1,
Sana Chaker1,
Justin M. Pare1,
Julie Haskins1,
Sarah C. Hughes3,
Tom C. Hobman1,
John Locke2, and
Andrew J. Simmonds1
1 Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G H7, Canada
3 Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
Correspondence to Andrew J. Simmonds: andrew.simmonds{at}ualberta.ca
In mammalian cells, the GW182 protein localizes to cytoplasmic bodies implicated in the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability, translation, and the RNA interference pathway. Many of these functions have also been assigned to analogous yeast cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies. We have characterized the single Drosophila melanogaster homologue of the human GW182 protein family, which we have named Gawky (GW). Drosophila GW localizes to punctate, cytoplasmic foci in an RNA-dependent manner. Drosophila GW bodies (GWBs) appear to function analogously to human GWBs, as human GW182 colocalizes with GW when expressed in Drosophila cells. The RNA-induced silencing complex component Argonaute2 and orthologues of LSm4 and Xrn1 (Pacman) associated with 5'3' mRNA degradation localize to some GWBs. Reducing GW activity by mutation or antibody injection during syncytial embryo development leads to abnormal nuclear divisions, demonstrating an early requirement for GWB-mediated cytoplasmic mRNA regulation. This suggests that gw represents a previously unknown member of a small group of genes that need to be expressed zygotically during early embryo development.
S.C. Hughes' present address is Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G H7, Canada.
Abbreviations used in this paper: AED, after egg deposition; GW, Gawky; GWB, GW body; miRNA, microRNA; NC, nuclear cycle; PB, processing body; PCM, Pacman; RISC, RNA-induced silencing complex; RRM, RNA recognition motif; SG, stress granule.

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