Much is known about the factors involved in the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein; however, this multistep process has not been imaged in living multicellular organisms. Here, we deploy the SunTag method to visualize and quantify the timing, location, and kinetics of the translation of single mRNAs in living Drosophila embryos. By focusing on the translation of the conserved major epithelial-mesenchymal transition–inducing transcription factor Twist, we identify spatial heterogeneity in mRNA translation efficiency and reveal the existence of translation factories, where clustered mRNAs are cotranslated preferentially at basal perinuclear regions. Observing the location and dynamics of mRNA translation in a living multicellular organism opens avenues for understanding gene regulation during development.

关于将信使RNA（mRNA）转化为蛋白质的因素很多；然而，这种多步过程尚未在活的多细胞生物体中成像。在这里，我们部署了SunTag方法以可视化和量化果蝇中单个mRNA的翻译的时间，位置和动力学。胚胎。通过专注于保守的主要上皮-间质转化诱导转录因子Twist的翻译，我们确定了mRNA翻译效率的空间异质性，并揭示了翻译工厂的存在，其中簇化的mRNAs在基底周核区域优先被共翻译。观察活多细胞生物中mRNA翻译的位置和动力学为理解发育过程中的基因调控开辟了途径。