A region of SLBP outside the mRNA-processing domain is essential for deposition of histone mRNA into the Drosophila egg

Jennifer Michelle Potter-Birriel, Graydon B. Gonsalvez, William F. Marzluff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Replication-dependent histone mRNAs are the only cellular mRNAs that are not polyadenylated, ending in a stemloop instead of a polyA tail, and are normally regulated coordinately with DNA replication. Stemloop-binding protein (SLBP) binds the 3' end of histone mRNA, and is required for processing and translation. During Drosophila oogenesis, large amounts of histone mRNAs and proteins are deposited in the developing oocyte. The maternally deposited histone mRNA is synthesized in stage 10B oocytes after the nurse cells complete endoreduplication.We report that inwild-type stage 10B oocytes, the histone locus bodies (HLBs), formed on the histone genes, produce histone mRNAs in the absence of phosphorylation of Mxc, which is normally required for histone gene expression inS-phase cells. Two mutants of SLBP, one with reduced expression and another with a 10-amino-acid deletion, fail to deposit sufficient histone mRNA in the oocyte, and do not transcribe the histone genes in stage 10B. Mutations in a putative SLBP nuclear localization sequence overlapping the deletion phenocopy the deletion. We conclude that a high concentration of SLBP in the nucleus of stage 10B oocytes is essential for histone gene transcription.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalJournal of Cell Science
Volume134
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Drosophila oogenesis
  • Histone locus body
  • Histone mRNA
  • Maternal mRNA
  • SLBP
  • Stemloop-binding protein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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