Expression patterns and transcript processing of ftt-1 and ftt-2, two C. elegans 14-3-3 homologues.
A wide diversity of biological functions have been attributed to the highly conserved and ubiquitous 14-3-3 protein family. Yet how much of this diversity is inherent in the basic structure of 14-3-3 and how much is due to isoform specific functions is not yet fully understood. Here, two Caenorhabditis elegans 14-3-3 isoforms whose protein sequences are 90% similar were found to differ significantly in both their genomic structure and expression patterns. The two genes, ftt-1 (IV) (fourteen-three-three) and ftt-2 (X), differ in both the position and sequence of their introns. Since the various intron/exon boundaries respect neither functional nor structural protein motifs, the introns appear to be relatively recent evolutionary additions. ftt-1(IV) encodes three germline enhanced transcripts, two of which are related through the differential use of alternative poly(A) addition sites. RNA in situ hybridization studies reveal high levels of ftt-1 throughout the gonad with particularly high levels in the distal arm. In contrast, ftt-2 (X) encodes a single transcript which is expressed somatically. In embryos, high levels of ftt-1 transcripts appear to be maternally supplied, whereas ftt-2 is expressed as an early zygotic transcript whose expression pattern later localizes to the posterior region of post-proliferative embryos. These expression pattern differences between ftt-1 and ftt-2 suggest that these two 14-3-3 isoforms perform distinct biological roles within the worm.
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Department of Biology, University of Houston, TX 22304-5513, USA.
Shakes
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D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D006066:Gonads / Q000737:chemistry; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000502:physiology*; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012332:RNA, Heterogeneous Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D012332:RNA, Heterogeneous Nuclear; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C106207:par-5 protein, C elegans; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase