Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/49471
Title: The Gemin associates of survival motor neuron are required for motor function in drosophila
Authors: Borg, Rebecca M.
Cauchi, Ruben J.
Keywords: Neuromuscular transmission
Drosophila -- Genetics
Genes -- Research
Drosophila melanogaster
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Citation: Borg, R., & Cauchi, R. J. (2013). The Gemin associates of survival motor neuron are required for motor function in Drosophila. PloS One, 8(12), 1-19.
Abstract: Membership of the survival motor neuron (SMN) complex extends to nine factors, including the SMN protein, the product of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease gene, Gemins 2–8 and Unrip. The best-characterised function of this macromolecular machine is the assembly of the Sm-class of uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles and each SMN complex member has a key role during this process. So far, however, only little is known about the function of the individual Gemin components in vivo. Here, we make use of the Drosophila model organism to uncover loss-of-function phenotypes of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5, which together with SMN form the minimalistic fly SMN complex. We show that ectopic overexpression of the dead helicase Gem3DN mutant or knockdown of Gemin3 result in similar motor phenotypes, when restricted to muscle, and in combination cause lethality, hence suggesting that Gem3DN overexpression mimics a loss-of-function. Based on the localisation pattern of Gem3DN, we predict that the nucleus is the primary site of the antimorphic or dominant-negative mechanism of Gem3DN-mediated interference. Interestingly, phenotypes induced by human SMN overexpression in Drosophila exhibit similarities to those induced by overexpression of Gem3DN. Through enhanced knockdown we also uncover a requirement of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5 for viability and motor behaviour, including locomotion as well as flight, in muscle. Notably, in the case of Gemin3 and Gemin5, such function also depends on adequate levels of the respective protein in neurons. Overall, these findings lead us to speculate that absence of any one member is sufficient to arrest the SMN-Gemins complex function in a nucleocentric pathway, which is critical for motor function in vivo.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/49471
Appears in Collections:Scholarly Works - FacM&SPB



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