Xcat2 RNA is a translationally sequestered germ plasm component in Xenopus

H MacArthur; M Bubunenko; D W Houston; M L King

doi:10.1016/S0925-4773(99)00075-1

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Xcat2 RNA is a translationally sequestered germ plasm component in Xenopus

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Xcat2 RNA is a translationally sequestered germ plasm component in Xenopus

H MacArthur, M Bubunenko, D W Houston and M L King

Mechanisms of development, Vol.84(1-2), pp.75-88

06/1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0925-4773(99)00075-1

PMID: 10473122

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Abstract

In Xenopus, the inheritance of germ plasm by a small subset of blastomeres during early development is thought to direct these cells into the germ cell lineage. We show that Xcat2 RNA, related to Drosophila nanos, is a germ plasm component that is translationally repressed during oogenesis. Xcat2 protein was not detected in oocytes at times prior to, or after its RNA was localized in germ plasm, suggesting Xcat2 RNA is functionally sequestered soon after transcription. Indeed, Xcat2 RNA is found in a dense non-polysomal compartment in oocytes. Repression of translation was not relieved by substituting the Xcat2 3'UTR with that of beta-globin. Immunodetection of Xcat2 protein during blastula and gastrula stages coincides with the time of symmetric segregation of the germ plasm and a net increase in the number of primordial germ cells. Xcat2 is capable of binding RNA in vitro and we propose that it may function to translationally regulate other RNAs specific to primordial germ cells.

Drosophila Proteins

Protein Biosynthesis

Zinc Fingers

Immune Sera

Xenopus - genetics

RNA, Messenger - genetics

Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism

Insect Proteins - genetics

RNA-Binding Proteins

Oogenesis - genetics

RNA, Messenger - metabolism

Xenopus - embryology

Cell Compartmentation

Oocytes - cytology

Injections

Animals

Oocytes - physiology

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental

Embryo, Nonmammalian

Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics

Female

Germ Cells - metabolism

3' Untranslated Regions

Details

Title: Subtitle: Xcat2 RNA is a translationally sequestered germ plasm component in Xenopus
Creators: H MacArthur - Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA
M Bubunenko
D W Houston
M L King
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Mechanisms of development, Vol.84(1-2), pp.75-88
DOI: 10.1016/S0925-4773(99)00075-1
PMID: 10473122
NLM abbreviation: Mech Dev
ISSN: 0925-4773
eISSN: 1872-6356
Publisher: Ireland
Grant note: GM33932 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 06/1999
Academic Unit: Biology
Record Identifier: 9983992071902771

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