title: RNA-binding proteins, RNA granules, and gametes: is unity strength?
abstract: Changes in mRNA translation and degradation represent post-transcriptional processes operating during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis to ensure regulated protein synthesis. Numerous mRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have been described in multiple animal models that contribute to the control of mRNA translation and decay during oogenesis and spermatogenesis. An emerging view from studies performed in germ cells and somatic cells is that RBPs associate with their target mRNAs in RNA-protein (or ribonucleoprotein) complexes (mRNPs) that assemble in various cytoplasmic RNA granules that communicate with the translation machinery and control mRNA storage, triage, and degradation. In comparison with Xenopus, Caenorhabditis elegans, or Drosophila, the composition and role of cytoplasmic RNA-containing granules in mammalian germ cells are still poorly understood. However, regained interest for these structures has emerged with the recent discovery of their role in small RNA synthesis and transposon silencing through DNA methylation. In this review, we will briefly summarize our current knowledge on cytoplasmic RNA granules in murine germ cells and describe the role of some of the RBPs they contain in regulating mRNA metabolism and small RNA processing during gametogenesis.
authors: Université Montpellier 2, UMR 5235, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Montpellier, France.
authors: Mai
authors: M
authors: Nguyen-Chi
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Morello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005718:Gametogenesis; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D020871:RNA Stability; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA