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Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment
Published on: September 27, 2015
Transition of Xwnt-11 mRNA from inactive form to polyribosomes in frogs during early embryogenesis
D V Shatilov1, E S Pshennikova, A S Voronina
1Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
Abstract:
The distribution of Xwnt-11 mRNA between polysomes and informosomes was studied in Xenopus laevis and Rana temporaria during early embryogenesis. The ratio between polysomes and informosomes suggests their involvement in translation of these mRNAs. In eggs and immediately after fertilization the Xwnt-11 mRNAs are mostly positioned in informosomes. During the cleavage stage, these mRNAs have also been recognized in polysomes. Just before the onset of zygote genome functioning (at the stage of mid blastula), Xwnt-11 mRNA rapidly appears in polysomes of Rana embryos. However, in Xenopus, Xwnt-11 mRNA appears in polysomes only at the end of gastrula. Before this stage, the Xwnt-11 mRNA in Xenopus can be found mostly in informosomes.
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