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Two different mRNAs coding for identical elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) polypeptides in Xenopus laevis
A Pöting1, K Danker, L Hartmann
1Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biochemie, Freie Universität, Berlin.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Two distinct Xenopus laevis elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) mRNA clones show conserved amino acid sequences, indicating evolutionary pressure on this vital translation factor during development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Xenopus laevis research
Background:
- Elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) is crucial for protein synthesis.
- Gene duplication and sequence divergence are key evolutionary processes.
- Understanding gene regulation in early development is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize cDNA clones for EF-1 alpha in Xenopus laevis.
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation of EF-1 alpha at the amino acid level.
- To analyze the expression patterns of EF-1 alpha during oogenesis and embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- cDNA library screening and sequencing.
- Southern-blot analysis of genomic DNA.
- Northern-blot analysis and in situ hybridization for mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Two related but distinct EF-1 alpha cDNA clones were identified.
- Despite nucleotide differences, derived amino acid sequences were identical, suggesting strong evolutionary constraint.
- EF-1 alpha mRNA is abundant in previtellogenic oocytes and accumulates in translationally active embryonic tissues.
Conclusions:
- Xenopus laevis possesses at least two closely related EF-1 alpha genes with highly conserved protein sequences.
- EF-1 alpha expression is tightly regulated during oogenesis and embryonic development, correlating with translational activity.