Cytoskeletal localization of mRNA in early Drosophila development
The cytoplasm of the syncitium is highly structured by means of a proteinaceous cytoskeleton. Maternal-gene mRNAs are anchored to the anterior end of tthe skeleton, and produce protein products that diffuse posteriorly. This sets up an anterior / posterior gradient of gene expression. mRNAs may also be anchored to the posterior end, and their proteins diffuse anteriorly.
All text material © 2007 by Steven M. Carr