Regulation of vertebrate embryogenesis by the exon junction complex core component Eif4a3.
The establishment and maintenance of cellular identity are ultimately dependent upon the accurate regulation of gene expression, the process by which genetic information is used to synthesize functional gene products. The post-transcriptional, pre-translational regulation of RNA constitutes RNA processing, which plays a prominent role in the modulation of gene expression in differentiated animal cells. The multi-protein Exon Junction Complex (EJC) serves as a critical signaling hub within the network that underlies many RNA processing events. Here, we identify a requirement for the EJC during early vertebrate embryogenesis. Knockdown of the EJC component Eukaryotic initiation factor 4a3 (Eif4a3) in embryos of the frog Xenopus laevis results in full-body paralysis, with defects in sensory neuron, pigment cell, and cardiac development; similar phenotypes are seen following knockdown of other "core" EJC protein constituents. Our studies point to an essential role for the EJC in the development of neural plate border derivatives.
Haremaki
Tomomi
T
Biology Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
Sridharan
Jyotsna
J
Dvora
Shira
S
Weinstein
Daniel C
DC
D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A