The Smaug RNA-Binding Protein Is Essential for microRNA Synthesis During the Drosophila Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition.

ABSTRACT: Metazoan embryos undergo a maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) during which maternal gene products are eliminated and the zygotic genome becomes transcriptionally active. During this process, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and the microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) target maternal mRNAs for degradation. In Drosophila, the Smaug (SMG), Brain tumor (BRAT), and Pumilio (PUM) RBPs bind to and direct the degradation of largely distinct subsets of maternal mRNAs. SMG has also been shown to be required for zygotic synthesis of mRNAs and several members of the miR-309 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) during the MZT. Here, we have carried out global analysis of small RNAs both in wild-type and in smg mutants. Our results show that 85% of all miRNA species encoded by the geno

SUBMITTER: Luo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5100853 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature