Two distinct Staufen isoforms in Xenopus are vegetally localized during oogenesis

• DOI: 10.1261/rna.7450204
• Publication Date: 2004-10-20T18:49:22Z
• Authors: RACHEL ALLISON; KEVIN CZAPLINSKI; ANNA GIT; ELIZABETH ADEGBENRO; FIONA STENNARD; EVELYN HOULISTON; NANCY STANDART
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Cytoplasm; Microscopy, Confocal; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Molecular Sequence Data; Cell Polarity; RNA-Binding Proteins; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Meiosis; 03 medical and health sciences; Oogenesis; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Sequence Analysis, Protein; Oocytes; Animals; Protein Isoforms; Female; Amino Acid Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation

Localization of mRNA is an important way generating early asymmetries in the developing embryo. In Drosophila , Staufen intimately involved localization maternally inherited mRNAs critical for cell fate determination We show that double-stranded RNA-binding proteins are present oocytes a vertebrate, Xenopus and localized to vegetal cytoplasm, region where including VegT Vg1 become localized. identified two isoforms named XStau1 XStau2, was found be principal protein oocytes, eggs, embryos, levels both peaking during mid-oogenesis. adults, Staufens principally expressed ovary testis. detectable throughout oocyte cytoplasm by immunofluorescence concentrated cortical from stage II onward. It showed partial codistribution with subcortical endoplasmic reticulum (ER), raising possibility may anchor specific ER-rich domains. further XStau transiently phosphorylated MAPK pathway meiotic maturation, period which RNAs such as RNA released their tight at cortex. These findings provide evidence targeting and/or anchoring maternal determinants cortex Xenopus. The should thus valuable system dissect role vertebrate development.