Global Analysis of mRNA Localization
While mRNA localization is known to play important roles in the establishment of cellular asymmetries, it is generally thought to be a rare phenomenon limited to specialized transcripts. To assess the overall variety and prevalence of mRNA localization events on a genomic level, we conducted a high-resolution FISH analysis of approximately 25% of mRNAs encoded in the Drosophila genome. We found that the majority of sampled mRNAs (71%) are subcellularly localized and that transcripts with similar localization patterns are often functionally related. Some of the striking and diverse patterns observed in the early embryo are illustrated in this journal cover image, with mRNAs depicted in blue and nuclei in red. This study suggests that mRNA localization is a widespread biological mechanism for organizing localized cellular machineries. An accompanying database provides a powerful resource for predicting gene function and for further characterizing mRNA localization pathways.
Eric Lécuyer, Hideki Yoshida, Neela Parthasarathy, Christina Alm, Tomas Babak, Tanja Cerovina, Timothy R. Hughes, Pavel Tomancak, and Henry M. Krause. (2007) Global Analysis or mRNA Localization Reveals a Prominent Role in Organizing Cellular Architecture and Function. Cell 131:174-187.
