Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-06-18

The involvement of mRNA degradation and DNA damage response factors in mRNA localization during Drosophila oogenesis

Objective

mRNA localization and local translation is a common mechanism for efficient protein expression and function control and plays a crucial role in processes such as cell fate determination and polarity and axonal guidance. One of the better-studied systems for RNA localization is the Drosophila oocyte, in which the microtubule-dependent asymmetric localization of specific transcripts determines the fly body axes. RNA degradation and translational control factors are implicated in mRNA localization, as exemplified by the mislocalization of osk mRNA, the posterior determinant, in mutants of RNAi-associated proteins (e.g. Aub, Armi, Spn-E) and P-body components (Me31B, Dcp-1). The aim of this project is to investigate the role of the RNA degradation and translational control machinery in mRNA localization. The osk mislocalization phenotype in the RNAi-related mutants is related to the derepression of retrotransposons and consequent activation of the DNA damage checkpoint and of Mnk/Chk2. Our data suggest, however, that the phenotype is ultimately due to an impaired actin mesh and consequent premature ooplasmic streaming. I will therefore study the molecular link between DNA damage checkpoint activation and premature ooplasmic streaming, using Drosophila genetics and biochemical and molecular biology tools. Candidate players in the process are, obviously, actin regulators, but also the translation regulators Orb/CPEB and Bic-C, since premature ooplasmic streaming also occurs in hypomorphic orb mutants and in Bic-C overexpression. P-body components colocalize with osk mRNA at the posterior and are genetically required for proper osk mRNA localization, suggesting that they play a role in osk mRNP formation and/or transport. In order to study the relationship between P-bodies and osk mRNA localization, I will peform dual-labeled time-lapse imaging of osk mRNA and P-body components.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
EU contribution
€ 172 434,64
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data
My booklet 0 0