The F-box protein Bard (CG14317) targets the Smaug RNA-binding protein for destruction during the Drosophila maternal-to-zygotic transition.

ABSTRACT: During the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), which encompasses the earliest stages of animal embryogenesis, a subset of maternally supplied gene products is cleared, thus permitting activation of zygotic gene expression. In the Drosophila melanogaster embryo, the RNA-binding protein Smaug (SMG) plays an essential role in progression through the MZT by translationally repressing and destabilizing a large number of maternal mRNAs. The SMG protein itself is rapidly cleared at the end of the MZT by a Skp/Cullin/F-box (SCF) E3-ligase complex. Clearance of SMG requires zygotic transcription and is required for an orderly MZT. Here, we show that an F-box protein, which we name Bard (encoded by CG14317), is required for degradation of SMG. Bard is expressed zygotically and physically interacts

SUBMITTER: Cao WX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8733446 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature