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Messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes containing human ELAV proteins: interactions with cytoskeleton and translational apparatus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Antic, D; Keene, JD
Published in: J Cell Sci
January 1998

Mammalian ELAV proteins bind to polyadenylated messenger RNAs and have specificity for AU-rich sequences. Preferred binding sites in vitro include the AUUUA pentamer and related sequences present in the 3' untranslated regions of many growth regulatory mRNAs. Human ELAV (hELAV) proteins have been implicated in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by their effects on the stability and translatability of growth regulatory mRNAs. We have examined the intracellular localization of ELAV proteins in neurons and in tumor cells of neuronal origin using indirect immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and biochemical separation. Mammalian neuronal ELAV proteins are found predominantly in the cytoplasm of cells in mRNP complexes termed alpha complexes which, when associated with polysomes, form large and high density ss complexes, as assayed by glycerol and accudenz gradients, respectively. Puromycin, cytochalasin or EDTA treatments disrupt beta complexes causing the release of alpha complexes, which then appear, by confocal microscopy, as large hELAV mRNP granules associated with microtubules. Association of partially purified hELAV mRNP alpha complexes with microtubules was confirmed by in vitro reconstitution assays. Furthermore, colchicine treatment of cells suggested that association of hELAV mRNP alpha complexes with microtubules is also necessary for the formation of ss complexes. Our data suggest a model in which a subset of mRNAs is associated with microtubules as ELAV mRNP particles (alpha complexes) which, in turn, associate with polysomes to form a translational apparatus (beta complex) that is, through polysomes, associated with the microfilament cytoskeletal network. hELAV proteins in these mRNP granules may affect post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression via the intracellular transport, localization and/or translation of growth regulatory mRNAs.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Cell Sci

DOI

ISSN

0021-9533

Publication Date

January 1998

Volume

111 ( Pt 2)

Start / End Page

183 / 197

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Puromycin
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Neurons
  • Microtubules
  • Humans
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Developmental Biology
 

Citation

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Antic, D., & Keene, J. D. (1998). Messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes containing human ELAV proteins: interactions with cytoskeleton and translational apparatus. J Cell Sci, 111 ( Pt 2), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.111.2.183
Antic, D., and J. D. Keene. “Messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes containing human ELAV proteins: interactions with cytoskeleton and translational apparatus.J Cell Sci 111 ( Pt 2) (January 1998): 183–97. https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.111.2.183.
Antic, D., and J. D. Keene. “Messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes containing human ELAV proteins: interactions with cytoskeleton and translational apparatus.J Cell Sci, vol. 111 ( Pt 2), Jan. 1998, pp. 183–97. Pubmed, doi:10.1242/jcs.111.2.183.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Cell Sci

DOI

ISSN

0021-9533

Publication Date

January 1998

Volume

111 ( Pt 2)

Start / End Page

183 / 197

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Puromycin
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Neurons
  • Microtubules
  • Humans
  • ELAV Proteins
  • Developmental Biology