Translational regulation of tra-2 by its 3' untranslated region controls sexual identity in C. elegans.
C. elegans hermaphrodites make sperm and then oocytes in an otherwise female animal. Gain-of-function mutations in the sex-determining gene tra-2 (tra-2(gf)) transform hermaphrodites into females (spermless hermaphrodites). The tra-2(gf) mutations map to a perfect direct repeat in the 3' untranslated region; each repeat is called a direct repeat element (DRE). Three experiments demonstrate that DREs repress tra-2 at the translational level. First, tra-2(gf) mRNAs are associated with larger polysomes than are their wild-type counterparts. Second, translation of a reporter RNA is inhibited by DREs. Third, disruption of DREs does not increase tra-2 mRNA levels. An RNA binding activity specifically associates with the DREs. We propose that tra-2 translation is inhibited by association of an RNA binding-factor with the DREs and that this translational control is essential for development of C. elegans as a hermaphrodite/male species.
Goodwin
E B
EB
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Okkema
P G
PG
Evans
T C
TC
Kimble
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D011132:Polyribosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; C066174:tra2 protein, Drosophila