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Using the mRNA-MS2/MS2CP-FP System to Study mRNA Transport During Drosophila Oogenesis

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RNA Detection and Visualization

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 714))

Abstract

Asymmetric mRNA localisation to specific compartments of the cell is a fundamental mechanism of ­spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. It is used by a variety of organisms and cell types to achieve different cellular functions. However, the mechanisms of mRNA localisation are not well understood. An important advance in this field has been the development of techniques that allow the visualisation of mRNA movements in living cells in real time. In this paper, we describe one approach to visualising mRNA localisation in vivo, in which RNAs containing MS2 binding sites are labelled by the MS2 coat protein fused to fluorescent reporters. We discuss the use of this mRNA-MS2/MS2CP-FP system to study mRNA localisation during Drosophila oogenesis, and provide a detailed explanation of the steps required for this approach, including the design of the mRNA-MS2 and MS2CP-FP constructs, the preparation of fly oocytes for imaging, the optimal microscope configurations for live cell imaging, and strategies for image processing and analysis.

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Acknowledgements

K.B. was supported by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh. D. St J. was supported by a Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Daniel St Johnston

Authors
  1. Katsiaryna Belaya
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  2. Daniel St Johnston
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Correspondence to Daniel St Johnston .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel

    Jeffrey E. Gerst

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Belaya, K., Johnston, D.S. (2011). Using the mRNA-MS2/MS2CP-FP System to Study mRNA Transport During Drosophila Oogenesis. In: Gerst, J. (eds) RNA Detection and Visualization. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 714. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-005-8_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-005-8_17

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-004-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-005-8

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