mRNA Localization and Translational Control in Drosophila Oogenesis Paul Lasko

Overview Asymmetric mRNA localization and translational control mechanisms are crucial for cell polarization and early embryonic development oskar (osk), nanos (nos), bicoid (bcd), and gurken (grk) are all asymmetrically localized mRNAs that are essential to body axis specification and early embryonic development Review explores the dynamics and mechanisms of how these mRNAs localize during oogenesis

Advice from the writing guide Write so it’s readily accessible to people with limited background knowledge of the topic “Thus, nos mRNA is repressed in two distinct ways by Smg: by cap- dependent translational repression and by deadenylation of the silenced transcript” Organization Review broken up into sections about each mRNA Lots of subheadings

Things that could be improved Didn’t fully explain the significance of the research Why is it important to study this subject? Historical context More figures would have been helpful when reviewing translational control pathways Paul Lasko Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012;4:a012294

Model for linking mRNAs to the microtubule cytoskeleton for minus-end directed transport. Figure demonstrates how mRNAs are linked to the microtubule cytoskeleton to be transported by Dynactin Figure similar to this one would aid in visualization of translational control mechanisms Model for linking mRNAs to the microtubule cytoskeleton for minus-end directed transport. Egalitarian (Egl) interacts directly with localization signals on mRNAs, with the carboxy-terminal end of Bicaudal-D (Bic-D), and with dynein light chain (Dlc). Bic-D interacts directly with dynactin, which in turn binds to dynein through its intermediate chain (Dic). Dynein heavy chain (Dhc) interacts with microtubules (green arrow) and catalyzes movement toward the minus-end. Although both in vivo and in vitro evidence exists to support this model for some instances of dynein-directed minus-end transport, and Egl and Bic-D are required for accumulation of grk, nos, osk, and bcd mRNAs into the oocyte, it has not yet been directly shown that this mechanism governs this particular localization event. ©2012 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Paul Lasko Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012;4:a012294