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RNA Recognition by the Caenorhabditis elegans Oocyte Maturation Determinant OMA-1

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 288; Issue: 42 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1074/jbc.m113.496547

1083-351X

Ebru Kaymak, Sean P. Ryder,

Reproductive System and Pregnancy

Maternally supplied mRNAs encode proteins that pattern early embryos in many species. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a suite of RNA-binding proteins regulates expression of maternal mRNAs during oogenesis, the oocyte to embryo transition, and early embryogenesis. To understand how these RNA-binding proteins contribute to development, it is necessary to determine how they select specific mRNA targets for regulation. OMA-1 and OMA-2 are redundant proteins required for oocyte maturation—an essential part of meiosis that prepares oocytes for fertilization. Both proteins have CCCH type tandem zinc finger RNA-binding domains. Here, we define the RNA binding specificity of OMA-1 and demonstrate that OMA-1/2 are required to repress the expression of a glp-1 3′-UTR reporter in developing oocytes. OMA-1 binds with high affinity to a conserved region of the glp-1 3′-UTR previously shown to interact with POS-1 and GLD-1, RNA-binding proteins required for glp-1 reporter repression in the posterior of fertilized embryos. Our results reveal that OMA-1 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein required to repress expression of maternal transcripts during oogenesis and suggest that interplay between OMA-1 and other factors for overlapping binding sites helps to coordinate the transition from oocyte to embryo.Background: OMA-1 is required for oocyte maturation and may function by regulating maternal mRNAs.Results: OMA-1 binds with high affinity to UA(A/U) motifs and regulates glp-1 via its 3′-UTR in live worms.Conclusion: OMA-1 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that represses maternal mRNAs during oocyte maturation.Significance: This work reveals the nature of OMA-1 RNA binding activity, which will help identify targets that contribute to the maturation defective phenotype. Maternally supplied mRNAs encode proteins that pattern early embryos in many species. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a suite of RNA-binding proteins regulates expression of maternal mRNAs during oogenesis, the oocyte to embryo transition, and early embryogenesis. To understand how these RNA-binding proteins contribute to development, it is necessary to determine how they select specific mRNA targets for regulation. OMA-1 and OMA-2 are redundant proteins required for oocyte maturation—an essential part of meiosis that prepares oocytes for fertilization. Both proteins have CCCH type tandem zinc finger RNA-binding domains. Here, we define the RNA binding specificity of OMA-1 and demonstrate that OMA-1/2 are required to repress the expression of a glp-1 3′-UTR reporter in developing oocytes. OMA-1 binds with high affinity to a conserved region of the glp-1 3′-UTR previously shown to interact with POS-1 and GLD-1, RNA-binding proteins required for glp-1 reporter repression in the posterior of fertilized embryos. Our results reveal that OMA-1 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein required to repress expression of maternal transcripts during oogenesis and suggest that interplay between OMA-1 and other factors for overlapping binding sites helps to coordinate the transition from oocyte to embryo. Background: OMA-1 is required for oocyte maturation and may function by regulating maternal mRNAs. Results: OMA-1 binds with high affinity to UA(A/U) motifs and regulates glp-1 via its 3′-UTR in live worms. Conclusion: OMA-1 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that represses maternal mRNAs during oocyte maturation. Significance: This work reveals the nature of OMA-1 RNA binding activity, which will help identify targets that contribute to the maturation defective phenotype.