Interestingly, Apontic, like Bruno, is an RNA-binding protein and specifically binds certain regions of the Oskar mRNA 3' untranslated region. A sequence shared by all of the bound RNAs could not be identified. APT transcripts are detected as early as stage 2A at low levels in the germarium and at higher levels in the follicle cells. The amount of APT mRNA in the soma decreases during the remainder of oogenesis, while the level in the germline increases. APT mRNA becomes concentrated in the oocyte and also accumulates in the nurse cells at about stage 6.
APT transcripts continue to be found in both the oocyte and nurse cells throughout oogenesis.
To determine when and where Apt protein is expressed during oogenesis, antisera directed against a recombinant Apt protein were prepared and used for protein detection by confocal microscopy of whole-mount ovaries. Apt protein appears in both the germline and somatic cells of the ovary throughout all stages of oogenesis. In the germline, Apt protein is present in both cytoplasm and nuclei. Within the nurse cells the protein is more concentrated in the cytoplasm, while in the oocyte more protein is found in the nucleus. The protein, however, is not localized to any subdomain within the cytoplasm of either the nurse cells or the oocyte.