Final Activity Report Summary - RNA LOC DROS (Identification of novel factors involved in RNA localisation in Drosophila)
Unraveling RNA localisation in the fruitfly
RNA molecules are the intermediates between DNA and proteins and are crucial for determining the activity and functions off all cells. Many RNAs are directed to specific sites inside cells. Two important functions for this intracellular RNA localisation are:
1. Asymmetric cell division, important for example in stem cell divisions, which in turn is implied in tumour formation and
2. Localised protein synthesis, important for example in memory formation. In many cases it is still an open question which genes are important for the process of RNA localisation.
In this project the mechanisms of RNA transport and localisation were studied in the developing nervous system of the fruitfly, Drosophila. We have used a library of transgenic fly lines that express double stranded RNA of genes that are possibly involved in RNA localisation, resulting in a partially loss of function of these genes. Subsequently the effect on RNA localisation in de developing nervous system of the fruitfly was monitored in several ways. The results indicate that this approach is feasible and we can indeed disturb RNA localisation using this method, potentially allowing the identification of genes involved in this process. This project has resulted in a usable method to identify genes involved in RNA localisation.
RNA molecules are the intermediates between DNA and proteins and are crucial for determining the activity and functions off all cells. Many RNAs are directed to specific sites inside cells. Two important functions for this intracellular RNA localisation are:
1. Asymmetric cell division, important for example in stem cell divisions, which in turn is implied in tumour formation and
2. Localised protein synthesis, important for example in memory formation. In many cases it is still an open question which genes are important for the process of RNA localisation.
In this project the mechanisms of RNA transport and localisation were studied in the developing nervous system of the fruitfly, Drosophila. We have used a library of transgenic fly lines that express double stranded RNA of genes that are possibly involved in RNA localisation, resulting in a partially loss of function of these genes. Subsequently the effect on RNA localisation in de developing nervous system of the fruitfly was monitored in several ways. The results indicate that this approach is feasible and we can indeed disturb RNA localisation using this method, potentially allowing the identification of genes involved in this process. This project has resulted in a usable method to identify genes involved in RNA localisation.