A. Yoda et al., MSI-1, a neural RNA-binding protein, is involved in male mating behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans, GENES CELLS, 5(11), 2000, pp. 885-895
Background: Neural RNA-binding proteins are thought to play important roles
in neural development and the functional regulation of postmitotic neurone
s by mediating post-transcriptional gene regulation. RNA-binding proteins b
elonging to the Musashi family are highly expressed in the nervous system;
however, their roles are poorly understood.
Results: We identified a Caenorhabditis elegans Musashi homologue, MSI-1, w
hose RNA-recognition motifs show extensive similarity to those of Drosphila
and vertebrate Musashi proteins. We isolated a msi-1 mutant and found male
s with this mutation to have a mating defect. C. elegans male mating behavi
our includes a distinct series of steps: response to contact, backing, turn
ing, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. msi-l is requir
ed for the turning and vulva location steps. Like other Musashi family memb
ers, MSI-1 is expressed specifically in neural cells, including male-specif
ic neurones required for turning and vulva location. However, msi-1 was not
expressed in proliferating neural progenitors in C. elegans, unlike the Mu
sashi family genes in other systems.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that msi-l is expressed specifically in po
stmitotic neurones in C. elegans. msi-1 is required for full development of
male mating behaviour, possibly through regulation of msi-1 expressing neu
rones.