1. Protein synthesis rates in Drosophila associate with levels of the hsr-omega nuclear transcript
- Author
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Lauren B. Carrington, Stephen William McKechnie, Rebecca Hallas, and Travis K. Johnson
- Subjects
Male ,Transcription, Genetic ,Biochemistry ,Heat shock protein ,Genetic variation ,Protein biosynthesis ,Animals ,Drosophila Proteins ,Heat shock ,RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional ,Gene ,Alleles ,Heat-Shock Proteins ,Regulation of gene expression ,Genetics ,Original Paper ,biology ,Ovary ,Genetic Variation ,Cell Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Drosophila melanogaster ,Gene Expression Regulation ,Female ,Drosophila Protein ,Heat-Shock Response - Abstract
Transcripts of the Drosophila hsr-omega gene are known to interact with RNA processing factors and ribosomes and are postulated to aid in co-ordinating nuclear and cytoplasmic activities particularly in stressed cells. However, the significance of these interactions for physiological processes and in turn for whole-organism fitness remains an open question. Because hsr-omega's cellular expression characteristics suggest it may influence protein synthesis, and because both genotypic and expression variation of hsr-omega have been associated with thermotolerance, we characterised 30 lines for variation in the rates of protein synthesis, measured in ovarian tissues, both before and after a mild heat shock, and for basal levels of the two main hsr-omega transcripts, omega-n and omega-c. As expected, the mild heat shock reduced protein synthesis rates. Large variation occurred among lines in levels of omega-n which was negatively associated with rates of basal protein synthesis--a result that supports the model for the cellular function of omega-n. Furthermore, omega-n levels were associated with hsr-omega genotype of the line parents. Little variation occurred among lines for omega-c levels and no associations were detected with protein synthesis or genotype. Since protein synthesis is a fundamental process for growth and development, we characterised the lines for several life-history traits; however, no associations with protein synthesis, omega-n or omega-c levels were detected. Our results are consistent with the idea that natural variation in hsr-omega expression influence rates of protein synthesis in this species.
- Published
- 2008