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Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5B activity regulates larval growth rate and germline development in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Yu Xiang,
Vought Valarie E.,
Conradt Barbara,
Maine Eleanor M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20232
Subject(s) - biology , germline , caenorhabditis elegans , translation (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , rna interference , eukaryotic translation , initiation factor , messenger rna , rna
In C. elegans , a population of proliferating germ cells is maintained via GLP‐1/Notch signaling; in the absence of GLP‐1 signaling, germ cells prematurely enter meiosis and differentiate. We previously identified ego (enhancer of glp‐1 ) genes that promote germline proliferation and interact genetically with the GLP‐1 signaling pathway. Here, we report that iffb‐1 (initiation factor five B) is an ego gene. iffb‐1 encodes the sole C. elegans isoform of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5B, a protein essential for translation. We have used RNA interference and a deletion mutation to determine the developmental consequences of reduced iffb‐1 activity. Our data indicate that maternal iffb‐1 gene expression is sufficient for embryogenesis, and zygotic iffb‐1 expression is required for development beyond late L1/early L2 stage. Partial reduction in iffb‐1 expression delays larval development and can severely disrupt proliferation and differentiation of germ cells. We hypothesize that germline development is particularly sensitive to iffb‐1 expression level. genesis 44:412–418, 2006. © Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.