Atomic force microscopy reveals binding of mRNA to microtubules mediated by two major mRNP proteins YB-1 and PABP

Abstract : A significant fraction of mRNAs is known to be asso-ciated in the form of mRNPs with microtubules for active trans-port. However, little is known about the interaction betweenmRNPs and microtubules and most of previous works were fo-cused on molecular motor:microtubule interactions. Here, wehave identified, via high resolution atomic force microscopyimaging, a significant binding of mRNA to microtubules medi-ated by two major mRNP proteins, YB-1 and PABP. This inter-action with microtubules could be of critical importance foractive mRNP traffic and for mRNP granule formation. A similarrole may be fulfilled by other cationic mRNA partners.