Zebrafish DAZ-like protein controls translation via the sequence 'GUUC'.
BACKGROUND
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.
Maegawa
Shingo
S
Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, 630-0101, Japan.
Yamashita
Masakane
M
Yasuda
Kunio
K
Inoue
Kunio
K
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; C101358:DAZL protein, human; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C075186:twe protein, Drosophila