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RNA recognition and translational regulation by a homeodomain protein

Nature volume 379, pages 694–699 (1996)Cite this article

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 14 August 1997

Abstract

In Drosophila, the primary determinant of anterior pattern is the gradient morphogen bicoid (bed), a homeodomain protein that binds DMA and transcriptionally activates target genes at different threshold concentrations. Here we present evidence that bed also binds RNA and acts as a translational represser to generate an opposing gradient of the homeodomain protein caudal (cad). RNA binding by bed seems to involve direct interactions between the bed homeodomain and discrete target sequences within the 3′ untranslated region of the cad messenger RNA and to block the initiation of cad translation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701W 168 Street, New York, New York, 10032, USA

    Josh Dubnau & Gary Struhl

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  1. Josh Dubnau
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  2. Gary Struhl
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Dubnau, J., Struhl, G. RNA recognition and translational regulation by a homeodomain protein. Nature 379, 694–699 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/379694a0

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