Abstract
Two new studies reveal the role of microtubule polarity in the asymmetric localization of mRNAs. In this issue of Cell, Zimyanin et al. (2008) show that the asymmetric localization of oskar mRNA in fruit fly oocytes results from a slight bias in the direction of its transport. Meanwhile, Messitt et al. (2008) reporting in Developmental Cell find a subpopulation of microtubules that is critical for the asymmetric distribution of Vg1 mRNA in frog oocytes.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Comment
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Drosophila / embryology
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Humans
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Microtubules / metabolism*
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Oocytes / chemistry
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Oocytes / metabolism*
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RNA Transport*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
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Xenopus / embryology
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Xenopus Proteins / genetics
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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GDF1 protein, Xenopus
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RNA, Messenger
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Xenopus Proteins
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osk protein, Drosophila