Cloning, characterization, and developmental expression of the ribosomal protein S21 gene of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata

Abstract

Ribosomal protein S21 (RpS21) belongs to a small group of ribosomal or ribosome-associated proteins. Mutations in the RpS21 gene cause dominant Minute and recessive lethal tumorous phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster. Studies in several organisms suggest that RpS21 is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis and cell growth. In this report, we used an RT-PCR fragment of D. melanogaster RpS21 mRNA to clone a RpS21 cDNA from the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. The isolated cDNA contained both 5' and 3' untranslated regions, and encoded a polypeptide of 83 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 9.1 kDa. The deduced protein sequence showed 91% amino acid identity to D. melanogaster RpS21 and strong homology with all known ribosomal S21 proteins. DNA blot hybridization indicated the existence of a single RpS21 gene in the Ceratitis capitata genome. Analysis of the 5' untranslated region revealed the occurrence of a major oligopyrimidine tract at the 5' end, which characterizes most mRNAs undergoing a growth-dependent translational control. Study of the mRNA patterns during development suggested that the expression of Ceratitis RpS21 is temporally regulated at the level of transcription.

Microarrays Reveal Early Transcriptional Events during the Termination of Larval Diapause in Natural Populations of the Mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii

“…In the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata , oho23B expression decreases as larval development proceeds, reaching a minimum in the prepupal stage [37]. Several ribosomal protein genes have been shown to be up-regulated during diapause in the northern house mosquito Culex pipiens [38].…”

Phanerochaete chrysosporium soluble proteome as a prelude for the analysis of heavy metal stress response

“…The most prominent was RpS7 with a 15.8-fold induction. It is known as a protein encoded by a cold-regulated cyanobacterial gene cluster [49], by its contribution to 18 S rRNA maturation and 40S ribosomal subunit formation in S. pombe [50] as well as regulation of protein synthesis and cell growth in fruit fly [51]. RpL6, on the other hand, appears to be rather related with drug resistance, since certain mutations in its gene caused resistance to several aminoglycoside antibiotics in E. coli [52] and its overexpression in gastric cancer cells conferred resistance to multiple anticancer drugs, suppressing drug-induced apoptosis [53].…”

Angiotensin-converting enzyme in Spodoptera littoralis: Molecular characterization, expression and activity profile during development

“…In specific, the expression of the ribosomal protein S21 in the fruitfly C. capitata was growthdependent. In white pupae (prepupal stage) the expression was remarkably low and also in pupal and adult stages lower CcRPS21 mRNA levels were observed compared to larval stages (Verras et al, 2004). Hence, the dramatic morphological changes during the S. littoralis pupal stage could also explain the lower level of control gene expression in the present study.…”