Data Entry: Please note that the research database will be replaced by UNIverse by the end of October 2023. Please enter your data into the system https://universe-intern.unibas.ch. Thanks
A genetic pathway for regulation of tra-2 translation
Journal
Development
Volume
124
Number
3
Pages / Article-Number
749-758
Mesh terms
Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans, embryology, genetics; Drosophila Proteins; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Protein Biosynthesis, genetics; Ribonucleoproteins, genetics; Sex Determination Analysis
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans, the tra-2 sex-determining gene is regulated at the translational level by two 28 nt direct repeat elements (DREs) located in its 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). DRF is a factor that binds the DREs and may be a trans-acting translational regulator of tra-2. Here we identify two genes that are required for the normal pattern of translational control. A newly identified gene, called laf-1, is required for translational repression by the tra-2 3'UTR. In addition, the sex-determining gene, tra-3, appears to promote female development by freeing tra-2 from laf-1 repression. Finally, we show that DRF activity correlates with translational repression of tra-2 during development and that tra-3 regulates DRF activity. We suggest that tra-3 may promote female development by releasing tra-2 from translation repression by laf-1 and that translational control is important for proper sex determination--both in the early embryo and during postembryonic development.
