Amyloid-like Self-Assembly of a Cellular Compartment

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Elvan Boke - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Martine Ruer - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Martin Wühr - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Margaret Coughlin - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Regis Lemaitre - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Steven P. Gygi - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Simon Alberti - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • David Drechsel - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Anthony A. Hyman - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Author)
  • Timothy J. Mitchison - , Harvard University (Author)

Abstract

Most vertebrate oocytes contain a Balbiani body, a large, non-membrane-bound compartment packed with RNA, mitochondria, and other organelles. Little is known about this compartment, though it specifies germline identity in many non-mammalian vertebrates. We show Xvelo, a disordered protein with an N-terminal prion-like domain, is an abundant constituent of Xenopus Balbiani bodies. Disruption of the prion-like domain of Xvelo, or substitution with a prion-like domain from an unrelated protein, interferes with its incorporation into Balbiani bodies in vivo. Recombinant Xvelo forms amyloid-like networks in vitro. Amyloid-like assemblies of Xvelo recruit both RNA and mitochondria in binding assays. We propose that Xenopus Balbiani bodies form by amyloid-like assembly of Xvelo, accompanied by co-recruitment of mitochondria and RNA. Prion-like domains are found in germ plasm organizing proteins in other species, suggesting that Balbiani body formation by amyloid-like assembly could be a conserved mechanism that helps oocytes function as long-lived germ cells.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)637-650
Number of pages14
JournalCell
Volume166
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2016
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 27471966
ORCID /0000-0003-4017-6505/work/142253872

Keywords

Keywords

  • velo1

Library keywords