Abstract
Loss of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) function causes the highly prevalent Fragile X syndrome [1 and 2]. Identifying targets for the RNA binding FMRP is a major challenge and an important goal of research into the pathology of the disease. Perturbations in neuronal development and circadian behavior are seen in Drosophila dfmr1 mutants. Here we show that regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is under dFMRP control. dFMRP binds the mRNA of the Drosophila profilin homolog and negatively regulates Profilin protein expression. An increase in Profilin mimics the phenotype of dfmr1 mutants. Conversely, decreasing Profilin levels suppresses dfmr1 phenotypes. These data place a new emphasis on actin misregulation as a major problem in fmr1 mutant neurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Actins / metabolism*
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Animals
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Brain / physiology*
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Cells, Cultured
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Contractile Proteins / genetics*
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Contractile Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
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Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
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Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
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Mutation
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neurons / pathology
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Profilins
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RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Superior Colliculi / metabolism
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Superior Colliculi / pathology
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rac GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
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rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Actins
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Contractile Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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FMR1 protein, Drosophila
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Microfilament Proteins
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Profilins
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Rac1 protein, Drosophila
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Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
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rac GTP-Binding Proteins