The maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) is a process that occurs in animal embryos at the earliest developmental stages, during which maternally deposited mRNAs and other molecules are degraded and replaced by products of the zygotic genome. The zygotic genome is not activated immediately upon fertilization, and in the pre-MZT embryo post-transcriptional control by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) orchestrates the first steps of development. To identify relevant Drosophila RBPs organism-wide, we refined the RNA interactome capture method for comparative analysis of the pre- and post-MZT embryos. We determine 523 proteins as high-confidence RBPs, half of which were not previously reported to bind RNA. Comparison of the RNA interactomes of pre- and post-MZT embryos reveals high dynamicity of the RNA-bound proteome during early development, and suggests active regulation of RNA binding of some RBPs. This resource provides unprecedented insight into the system of RBPs that govern the earliest steps of Drosophila development.

Localization and local translation of oskar mRNA at the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte directs abdominal patterning and germline formation in the embryo. The process requires recruitment and precise regulation of motor proteins to form transport‐competent mRNPs. We show that the posterior‐targeting kinesin‐1 is loaded upon nuclear export of oskar mRNPs, prior to their dynein‐dependent transport from the nurse cells into the oocyte. We demonstrate that kinesin‐1 recruitment requires the DmTropomyosin1‐I/C isoform, an atypical RNA‐binding tropomyosin that binds directly to dimerizing oskar 3′UTRs. Finally, we show that a small but dynamically changing subset of oskar mRNPs gets loaded with inactive kinesin‐1 and that the motor is activated during mid‐oogenesis by the functionalized spliced oskar RNA localization element. This inefficient, dynamic recruitment of Khc decoupled from cargo‐dependent motor activation constitutes an optimized, coordinated mechanism of mRNP transport, by minimizing interference with other cargo‐transport processes and between the cargo‐associated dynein and kinesin‐1.

A reporter construct was created on the basis of the transcription attenuator region of the Escherichia coli tryptophan operon. Dual-fluorescent-protein genes for red fluorescent protein and cerulean fluorescent protein were used as a sensor and internal control of gene expression. The sequence of the attenuator was modified to avoid tryptophan sensitivity while preserving sensitivity to ribosome stalling. Antimicrobial compounds which cause translation arrest at the stage of elongation induce the reporter both in liquid culture and on an agar plate. This reporter could be used for high-throughput screening of translation inhibitors.

Low complexity (LC) head domains 92 and 108 residues in length are, respectively, required for assembly of neurofilament light (NFL) and desmin intermediate filaments (IFs). As studied in isolation, these IF head domains interconvert between states of conformational disorder and labile, β-strand–enriched polymers. Solid-state NMR (ss-NMR) spectroscopic studies of NFL and desmin head domain polymers reveal spectral patterns consistent with structural order. A combination of intein chemistry and segmental isotope labeling allowed preparation of fully assembled NFL and desmin IFs that could also be studied by ss-NMR. Assembled IFs revealed spectra overlapping with those observed for β-strand–enriched polymers formed from the isolated NFL and desmin head domains. Phosphorylation and disease-causing mutations reciprocally alter NFL and desmin head domain self-association yet commonly impede IF assembly. These observations show how facultative structural assembly of LC domains via labile, β-strand–enriched self-interactions may broadly influence cell morphology.

Localization and local translation of oskar mRNA at the posterior pole of the Drosophila oocyte directs abdominal patterning and germline formation in the embryo. The process requires precise recruitment and regulation of motor proteins to form transport-competent mRNPs.Using high-and super-resolution imaging, we determine the steps in motor recruitment to oskar mRNPs. We show that the posterior-targeting kinesin-1 is recruited upon nuclear export of oskar mRNPs, prior to their dynein-dependent transport from the nurse cells into the oocyte.We demonstrate that DmTropomyosin1-I/C is an atypical RNA-binding, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling Tropomyosin1 isoform that binds the oskar 3'UTR through recognition of a supramolecular RNA motif created upon dimerization of oskar molecules. Our data show that, in the oocyte, kinesin-1 is recruited by DmTropomyosin1-I/C to a dynamically changing, small subset of oskar mRNPs and is activated by the functionalized spliced oskar RNA localization element, revealing an ergonomic, coordinated mechanism of cargo transport. Highlights:-Drosophila Tropomyosin1-I/C is an RNA-binding, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein -DmTm1-I/C dynamically recruits Khc to oskar mRNPs -DmTm1-I/C preferentially binds an RNA motif formed upon dimerization of oskar 3' UTRs -The exon junction complex/spliced oskar localization element complex is endowed with kinesin activating function