Premium
Developmental regulation of an instability element from the Drosophila fushi tarazu mRNA
Author(s) -
Fontes Aparecida Maria,
Riedl Ann,
JacobsLorena Marcelo
Publication year - 2001
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/gene.1033
Subject(s) - messenger rna , biology , untranslated region , three prime untranslated region , embryogenesis , embryo , drosophila (subgenus) , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics
Summary: The Drosophila fushi tarazu ( ftz ) mRNA is one of the shortest‐lived metazoan mRNAs, and its instability is crucial for proper development of the embryo. Previously, we identified two cis‐acting elements that are required for ftz mRNA degradation, one within the 5′ one‐third and another in the 3′UTR of the message. Here we focus on the 3′UTR element termed FIE3 ( f tz i nstability e lement in the 3 ′UTR). To investigate the developmental regulation of the FIE3‐dependent degrading activity we measured the abundance of an FIE3‐containing mRNA in ovaries, unfertilized eggs, and different larval and adult tissues. We found that FIE3‐degrading activity is present at all developmental stages and tissues examined, except in the ovary. Activation of the FIE3‐dependent mRNA decay is independent of fertilization because it could be triggered by egg activation. Finally, we provide evidence that mutation of conserved elements within FIE3 had no effect on mRNA instability. genesis 30:59–64, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.