PUBLICATION

Zebrafish DAZ-like protein controls translation via the sequence 'GUUC'

Authors
Maegawa, S., Yamashita, M., Yasuda, K., and Inoue, K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-021015-2
Date
2002
Source
Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms   7(9): 971-984 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Inoue, Kunio, Maegawa, Shingo
Keywords
Xenopus oocyte maturation, primordial germ cells, RNA binding proteins, messenger RNA, dependent translation, male infertility, cdc25 homolog, gene encodes, Drosophila, meiosis
MeSH Terms
  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • Insect Proteins/genetics
  • Male
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Proteins/metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger/genetics
  • RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
  • Spermatocytes/cytology
  • Spermatocytes/metabolism
  • Spermatogonia/cytology
  • Spermatogonia/metabolism
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
12296827 Full text @ Genes Cells
Abstract
In many species, DAZ homologous genes encode RNA-binding proteins containing two conserved motifs, namely the RNA-recognition motif (RRM) and the DAZ motif. Genetic analysis and gene disruption studies have demonstrated that DAZ family proteins play important roles in gametogenesis. However, little is known about the biochemical functions of DAZ family proteins. RESULTS: Using in vitro selection and UV-crosslinking experiments, we identified the sequence 'GUUC' as the target RNA sequence of zebrafish DAZ-like protein (zDAZL). In transfection experiments, zDAZL protein activated translation in a manner dependent on the binding sequence in the 3'UTR of the Drosophila twine gene or zDazl gene. Moreover, it is highly likely that the zDAZL protein associates with polysomes through the DAZ motif in vivo, and that the association with polysomes is indispensable for translational activation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that the DAZ family protein directly promotes the translation of the target mRNAs in vertebrates. This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the post-transcriptional regulation of DAZ family proteins in gametogenesis.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping