What was surprising was that the RNA also localised to the posterior of the oocytes that did not contain polarised microtubules. Glotzer considered the possibility that RNA passively diffuses in the cytoplasm before it becomes anchored at the posterior pole. However, she found that RNA diffuses only over short distances in the oocyte and efficient localisation of injected oskar RNA does require microtubules. Microtubules are not required for localisation of the injected RNA, but they clearly play a role in the process. Glotzer considered the involvement of a previously known phenomenon called cytoplasmic streaming - a current within the oocyte that rapidly mixes the cytoplasm.
Cytoplasmic flow is disrupted by drugs that depolymerise microtubules.
This is strong evidence of a correlation between the microtubule network and the streaming. Scientists believe that the movements of transport vesicles along microtubules generate this current. With this in mind, Glotzer has proposed that localisation of oskar RNA involves microtubules, but that this involvement may be indirect. This would explain the localisation she found after the polarised microtubules had disassembled. Localisation and Translation of oskar Other recent experiments by the group have also led to a deeper understanding of the components and mechanisms of germ-line organisation.