Modulating the bicoid gradient in space and time
Cai, Xiaoli LU ; Rondeel, Inge LU and Baumgartner, Stefan LU
(2021)
In Hereditas
158.
p.1-14
- Abstract
- Background: The formation of the Bicoid (Bcd) gradient in the early Drosophila is one of the most fascinating observations in biology and serves as a paradigm for gradient formation, yet its mechanism is still not fully understood. Two distinct models were proposed in the past, the SDD and the ARTS model.
Results: We define novel cis- and trans-acting factors that are indispensable for gradient formation. The first one is the poly A tail length of the bcd mRNA where we demonstrate that it changes not only in time, but also in space. We show that posterior bcd mRNAs possess a longer poly tail than anterior ones and this elongation is likely mediated by wispy (wisp), a poly A polymerase. Consequently, modulating the activity of Wisp... (More) - Background: The formation of the Bicoid (Bcd) gradient in the early Drosophila is one of the most fascinating observations in biology and serves as a paradigm for gradient formation, yet its mechanism is still not fully understood. Two distinct models were proposed in the past, the SDD and the ARTS model.
Results: We define novel cis- and trans-acting factors that are indispensable for gradient formation. The first one is the poly A tail length of the bcd mRNA where we demonstrate that it changes not only in time, but also in space. We show that posterior bcd mRNAs possess a longer poly tail than anterior ones and this elongation is likely mediated by wispy (wisp), a poly A polymerase. Consequently, modulating the activity of Wisp results in changes of the Bcd gradient, in controlling downstream targets such as the gap and pair-rule genes, and also in influencing the cuticular pattern. Attempts to modulate the Bcd gradient by subjecting the egg to an extra nuclear cycle, i.e. a 15th nuclear cycle by means of the maternal haploid (mh) mutation showed no effect, neither on the appearance of the gradient nor on the control of downstream target. This suggests that the segmental anlagen are determined during the first 14 nuclear cycles. Finally, we identify the Cyclin B (CycB) gene as a trans-acting factor that modulates the movement of Bcd such that Bcd movement is allowed to move through the interior of the egg.
Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that Bcd gradient formation is far more complex than previously thought requiring a revision of the models of how the gradient is formed.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/0d6964cc-9fc5-400e-8a7d-66d39a336071
- author
- Cai, Xiaoli
LU
; Rondeel, Inge
LU
and Baumgartner, Stefan
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2021
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Hereditas
- volume
- 158
- article number
- 29
- pages
- 1 - 14
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85112744003
- pmid:34404481
- ISSN
- 1601-5223
- DOI
- 10.1186/s41065-021-00192-y
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 0d6964cc-9fc5-400e-8a7d-66d39a336071
- date added to LUP
- 2021-08-23 21:19:07
- date last changed
- 2022-04-27 03:25:59
@article{0d6964cc-9fc5-400e-8a7d-66d39a336071,
abstract = {{Background: The formation of the Bicoid (Bcd) gradient in the early Drosophila is one of the most fascinating observations in biology and serves as a paradigm for gradient formation, yet its mechanism is still not fully understood. Two distinct models were proposed in the past, the SDD and the ARTS model.<br/><br/>Results: We define novel cis- and trans-acting factors that are indispensable for gradient formation. The first one is the poly A tail length of the bcd mRNA where we demonstrate that it changes not only in time, but also in space. We show that posterior bcd mRNAs possess a longer poly tail than anterior ones and this elongation is likely mediated by wispy (wisp), a poly A polymerase. Consequently, modulating the activity of Wisp results in changes of the Bcd gradient, in controlling downstream targets such as the gap and pair-rule genes, and also in influencing the cuticular pattern. Attempts to modulate the Bcd gradient by subjecting the egg to an extra nuclear cycle, i.e. a 15th nuclear cycle by means of the maternal haploid (mh) mutation showed no effect, neither on the appearance of the gradient nor on the control of downstream target. This suggests that the segmental anlagen are determined during the first 14 nuclear cycles. Finally, we identify the Cyclin B (CycB) gene as a trans-acting factor that modulates the movement of Bcd such that Bcd movement is allowed to move through the interior of the egg.<br/><br/>Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that Bcd gradient formation is far more complex than previously thought requiring a revision of the models of how the gradient is formed.<br/>}},
author = {{Cai, Xiaoli and Rondeel, Inge and Baumgartner, Stefan}},
issn = {{1601-5223}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{1--14}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{Hereditas}},
title = {{Modulating the bicoid gradient in space and time}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41065-021-00192-y}},
doi = {{10.1186/s41065-021-00192-y}},
volume = {{158}},
year = {{2021}},
}