Article Type: Research Article
Title: Progenitor-derived ribosomal RNA supports protein
synthesis in Drosophila neurons
Authors: Jade Fee, Mohamed Aboukilila and Michael D. Cleary*
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Quantitative and Systems
Biology Graduate Program, University of California Merced, Merced, CA,
USA.
*Corresponding author
mcleary4@ucmerced.edu
Abstract: Global mRNA translation may differ dramatically
between progenitor cells and their differentiated progeny. One way cell
type-specific translation is established is through ribosome
concentration. In addition to addressing unique metabolic needs, changes
in ribosome concentration may influence cell fate. The mechanisms that
determine ribosome abundance in progenitors versus differentiated
progeny are not fully understood. Here we investigated this process by
focusing on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in Drosophila neural
progenitors and neurons. We found that rRNA synthesis is robust in
neural progenitors but is limited in post-mitotic neurons. Newly born
neurons inherit rRNA from their progenitor parent and this inherited
rRNA is sufficient for protein synthesis in neurons. Our findings
support a model in which neuron-specific translation programs are
established by rRNA inheritance.