Yu, Jiang HongYang, Wei-hongGulick, TodBloch, Kenneth D.Bloch, Donald B.2019-10-172005Yu, J. H. 2005. “Ge-1 Is a Central Component of the Mammalian Cytoplasmic mRNA Processing Body.” RNA 11 (12). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: 1795–1802. doi:10.1261/rna.2142405.1355-83821469-9001http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41555773The mRNA processing body (P-body) is a cellular structure that regulates gene expression by degrading cytoplasmic mRNA. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize novel components of the mammalian P-body. Approximately 5% of patients with the autoimmune disease primary biliary cirrhosis have antibodies directed against this structure. Serum from one of these patients was used to identify a cDNA encoding Ge-1, a 1401-amino-acid protein. Ge-1 contains an N-terminal WD40 motif and C-terminal domains characterized by a repeating psi(X2-3) motif. Ge-1 co-localized with previously identified P-body components, including proteins involved in mRNA decapping (DCP1a and DCP2) and the autoantigen GW182. The Ge-1 C-terminal domain was necessary and sufficient to target the protein to P-bodies. Following exposure of cells to oxidative stress, Ge-1-containing P-bodies were found adjacent to TIA-containing stress granules. During the recovery period, TIA returned to the nucleus while Ge-1-containing P-bodies localized to the perinuclear region. siRNA-mediated knock-down of Ge-1 resulted in loss of P-bodies containing Ge-1, DCP1a, and DCP2. In contrast, Ge-1-containing P-bodies persisted despite knock-down of DCP2. Taken together, the results of this study show that Ge-1 is a central component of P-bodies and suggest that Ge-1 may act prior to the 5-decapping step in mRNA degradation.en-USJournal Article2019-10-1710.1261/rna.2142405