A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.

The survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the determining factor for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is complexed with a group of proteins in human cells. Gemin3 is the only RNA helicase in the SMN complex. Here, we report the identification of Drosophila melanogaster Gemin3 and investigate its functi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ruben J Cauchi, Kay E Davies, Ji-Long Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2008-11-01
Series:PLoS Genetics
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1000265&type=printable
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850240440104648704
author Ruben J Cauchi
Kay E Davies
Ji-Long Liu
author_facet Ruben J Cauchi
Kay E Davies
Ji-Long Liu
author_sort Ruben J Cauchi
collection DOAJ
description The survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the determining factor for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is complexed with a group of proteins in human cells. Gemin3 is the only RNA helicase in the SMN complex. Here, we report the identification of Drosophila melanogaster Gemin3 and investigate its function in vivo. Like in vertebrates, Gemin3 physically interacts with SMN in Drosophila. Loss of function of gemin3 results in lethality at larval and/or prepupal stages. Before they die, gemin3 mutant larvae exhibit declined mobility and expanded neuromuscular junctions. Expression of a dominant-negative transgene and knockdown of Gemin3 in mesoderm cause lethality. A less severe Gemin3 disruption in developing muscles leads to flightless adults and flight muscle degeneration. Our findings suggest that Drosophila Gemin3 is required for larval development and motor function.
format Article
id doaj-art-ec145d2cca124ec09c9c188a6d7a47bc
institution OA Journals
issn 1553-7390
1553-7404
language English
publishDate 2008-11-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS Genetics
spelling doaj-art-ec145d2cca124ec09c9c188a6d7a47bc2025-08-20T02:00:51ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Genetics1553-73901553-74042008-11-01411e100026510.1371/journal.pgen.1000265A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.Ruben J CauchiKay E DaviesJi-Long LiuThe survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the determining factor for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is complexed with a group of proteins in human cells. Gemin3 is the only RNA helicase in the SMN complex. Here, we report the identification of Drosophila melanogaster Gemin3 and investigate its function in vivo. Like in vertebrates, Gemin3 physically interacts with SMN in Drosophila. Loss of function of gemin3 results in lethality at larval and/or prepupal stages. Before they die, gemin3 mutant larvae exhibit declined mobility and expanded neuromuscular junctions. Expression of a dominant-negative transgene and knockdown of Gemin3 in mesoderm cause lethality. A less severe Gemin3 disruption in developing muscles leads to flightless adults and flight muscle degeneration. Our findings suggest that Drosophila Gemin3 is required for larval development and motor function.https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1000265&type=printable
spellingShingle Ruben J Cauchi
Kay E Davies
Ji-Long Liu
A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
PLoS Genetics
title A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
title_full A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
title_fullStr A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
title_full_unstemmed A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
title_short A motor function for the DEAD-box RNA helicase, Gemin3, in Drosophila.
title_sort motor function for the dead box rna helicase gemin3 in drosophila
url https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1000265&type=printable
work_keys_str_mv AT rubenjcauchi amotorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila
AT kayedavies amotorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila
AT jilongliu amotorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila
AT rubenjcauchi motorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila
AT kayedavies motorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila
AT jilongliu motorfunctionforthedeadboxrnahelicasegemin3indrosophila