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Abstract
Asymmetric mRNA localization targets proteins to their cytoplasmic site of function.
We have elucidated the mechanism of apical localization of wingless and pair-rule
transcripts in the Drosophila blastoderm embryo by directly visualizing intermediates
along the entire path of transcript movement. After release from their site of transcription,
mRNAs diffuse within the nucleus and are exported to all parts of the cytoplasm, regardless
of their cytoplasmic destinations. Endogenous and injected apical RNAs assemble selectively
into cytoplasmic particles that are transported apically along microtubules. Cytoplasmic
dynein is required for correct localization of endogenous transcripts and apical movement
of injected RNA particles. We propose that dynein-dependent movement of RNA particles
is a widely deployed mechanism for mRNA localization.