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Translational control of maskin mRNA by its 3' untranslated region

Hedda A Meijer1, Helois E Radford, Lolita S Wilson

  • 1School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK.

Biology of the Cell
|January 24, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Maskin mRNA translation is repressed in early oocytes and activated later, involving specific RNA elements and the protein EDEN-BP. This regulation is crucial for Xenopus development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Xenopus laevis research

Background:

  • Maskin, a TACC family protein in Xenopus, is involved in spindle coordination.
  • Maskin has been previously linked to translational repression of cyclin B1 mRNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the translational regulation of maskin mRNA during Xenopus oocyte development.
  • Identify the regulatory elements and proteins involved in maskin mRNA translational control.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of maskin mRNA translation in stage 4 and stage 6 oocytes.
  • Reporter mRNA assays using maskin and TACC3 3'-UTRs.
  • UV cross-linking and RNA affinity chromatography with mass spectrometry (MS).

Main Results:

  • Maskin mRNA translation is repressed at initiation in stage 4 oocytes and activated in stage 6 oocytes.
  • Translational repression correlates with a short poly(A) tail and involves conserved GUCU repeats and other elements.
  • EDEN-binding protein (EDEN-BP) binds to both maskin and cyclin B1 3'-UTRs, suggesting a role in deadenylation.

Conclusions:

  • Maskin mRNA translation is controlled by multiple repressor and activator elements.
  • The conserved GUCU repeat is one repressor element.
  • EDEN-BP binding to both maskin and cyclin B1 3'-UTRs suggests its involvement in mRNA deadenylation.

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