title: Polarizing genetic information in the egg: RNA localization in the frog oocyte.
abstract: RNA localization is a powerful strategy used by cells to localize proteins to subcellular domains and to control protein synthesis regionally. In germ cells, RNA targeting has profound implications for development, setting up polarities in genetic information that drive cell fate during embryogenesis. The frog oocyte offers a useful system for studying the mechanism of RNA localization. Here, we discuss critically the process of RNA localization during frog oogenesis. Three major pathways have been identified that are temporally and spatially separated in oogenesis. Each pathway uses a different mechanism to effect RNA localization. In some cases, localization elements within the 3' untranslated region have been identified and have provided unique insights into the localization process. This important field is still in its infancy, however, and much remains to be learned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA. mking@mednet.med.miami.edu
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bubunenko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016764:Cell Polarity; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014981:Xenopus; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
chemical_list: C513103:GDF1 protein, Xenopus; D006023:Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D012313:RNA