Localization and association to cytoskeleton of COLL1 alpha mRNA in Paracentrotus lividus egg requires cis- and trans-acting factors

COLL1 alpha mRNA is asymmetrically distributed in the Paracentrotus lividus egg. Here we examine the involvement of the cytoskeleton in the localizati on process of collagen mRNA. The use of drugs such as colchicine and cytoch alasin B reveals a perturbation of localization collagen mRNA. Moreover, th e presence of specific cis-and trans-acting factors involved in cytoskeleto n binding and the localization process was investigated. By Northwestern ex periment we found that the 3'UTR of COLL1 alpha mRNA is also able to bind t wo proteins of 54 and 40 kDa in a cellular fraction containing the cytoskel eton. Finally, we found that the protein of 54 kDa is LP54, a protein that binds the 3'UTRs of P. lividus maternal bep messengers and is necessary for their localization. O 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserv ed.