A Novel Double-stranded RNA-binding Protein, Disco Interacting Protein 1 (DIP1), Contributes to Cell Fate Decisions during Drosophila Development*

We report the identification of the Disco Interacting Protein 1 (DIP1) gene isolated in a yeast interaction trap screen using the zinc finger protein disconnected (disco) as a bait. DIP1 encodes a protein containing two double-stranded RNA binding domains (dsRBD). Consistent with the presence of dsRBD, DIP1 binds dsRNA or structured RNAs in Northwestern assays. DIP1 is found in nuclear subdomains resembling speckles known to accumulate …