MESSENGER-RNA TRANSLOCATION AND MICROTUBULES - INSECT OVARY MODELS

The nurse cells in insect ovarioles supply the developing oocytes with various cellular components, including mRNAs, which pass from one cel l to the other through intercellular bridges traversed by microtubules . Best studied of these mRNAs are those that encode the axis-determini ng factors in Drosophila embryos. These mRNAs are further translocated and localized within the oocyte to sites where the products of their translation will ultimately function. This article explores the eviden ce supportive of a role for microtubules and motor proteins in these p rocesses.