Granule regulation by phase separation during Drosophila oogenesis. Issue 3 (11th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sankaranarayanan, M.; Weil, Timothy T.
• Editors: Nott, Tim; Baldwin, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Emerging topics in life sciences. Volume 4:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2020-12-11
• Subjects: developmental biology -- phase separation -- RNP granules; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20190155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2397-8554

Abstract

Abstract : Drosophila eggs are highly polarised cells that use RNA–protein complexes to regulate storage and translational control of maternal RNAs. Ribonucleoprotein granules are a class of biological condensates that form predominantly by intracellular phase separation. Despite extensive in vitro studies testing the physical principles regulating condensates, how phase separation translates to biological function remains largely unanswered. In this perspective, we discuss granules in Drosophila oogenesis as a model system for investigating the physiological role of phase separation. We review key maternal granules and their properties while highlighting ribonucleoprotein phase separation behaviours observed during development. Finally, we discuss how concepts and models from liquid–liquid phase separation could be used to test mechanisms underlying granule assembly, regulation and function in Drosophila oogenesis.