Fertilization of Xenopus eggs imposes a complete translational arrest of mRNAs containing 3'UUAUUUAU elements.
The early embryonic development of Xenopus is mainly governed by post-transcriptional regulations until the mid-blastula transition. In this report, we present evidence demonstrating that fertilization of Xenopus eggs triggers a complete translational arrest of mRNAs containing UA-rich elements in their 3'-untranslated region. This control is maintained at least until the mid-blastula transition. Neither maturation nor pseudo-fertilization of the egg is sufficient for triggering this control, suggesting that components originating from the male gamete are involved in the mechanism. Moreover, this control is exerted whether the mRNA is polyadenylated or not.
Marinx
O
O
Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rhode Saint Genèse, Belgium.
Bertrand
S
S
Karsenti
E
E
Huez
G
G
Kruys
V
V
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010957:Plasmids; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011374:Progesterone; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase