title: Essential elements for translation: the germline factor Vasa functions broadly in somatic cells.
abstract: Vasa is a conserved RNA-helicase found in the germ lines of all metazoans tested. Whereas Vasa presence is often indicated as a metric for germline determination in animals, it is also expressed in stem cells of diverse origin. Recent research suggests, however, that Vasa has a much broader function, including a significant role in cell cycle regulation. Results herein indicate that Vasa is utilized widely, and often induced transiently, during development in diverse somatic cells and adult precursor tissues. We identified that Vasa in the sea urchin is essential for: (1) general mRNA translation during embryogenesis, (2) developmental re-programming upon manipulations to the embryo and (3) larval wound healing. We also learned that Vasa interacted with mRNAs in the perinuclear area and at the spindle in an Importin-dependent manner during cell cycle progression. These results suggest that, when present, Vasa functions are essential to contributing to developmental regulation.
authors.affiliation: MCB Department, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, BOX-GL173, Providence, RI 02912, USA Mamiko_Yajima@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Mamiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yajima
authors.affiliation: MCB Department, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, BOX-GL173, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wessel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D028884:Karyopherins / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D034443:RNA Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D047270:Strongylocentrotus purpuratus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D028884:Karyopherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases
keywords: Cell-cycle regulator; Multipotent cells; Sea urchin; Translation; Vasa; Wound healing