Rab6 and the secretory pathway affect oocyte polarity in Drosophila

The Drosophila oocyte is a highly polarized cell. Secretion occurs towards restricted neighboring cells and asymmetric transport controls the localization of several mRNAs to distinct cortical compartments. Here, we describe a role for the Drosophila ortholog of the Rab6 GTPase, Drab6, in establishing cell polarity during oogenesis. We found that Drab6 localizes to Golgi and Golgi- derived membranes and interacts with BicD. We also provide evidence that Drab6 and BicD function together to ensure the correct delivery of secretory pathway components, such as the TGF alpha homolog Gurken, to the plasma membrane. Moreover, in the absence of Drab6, osk mRNA localization and the organization of microtubule plus- ends at the posterior of the oocyte were both severely affected. Our results point to a possible connection between Rab protein- mediated secretion, organization of the cytoskeleton and mRNA transport.