First published online August 14, 2006
Development 133, 1705e (2006)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
Repressive PUFs on developmental signalling
The spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression during development
occurs at the level of both gene transcription and gene translation. Now,
Walser and colleagues reveal that three members of the PUF family of
translational repressors that regulate certain aspects of germline development
in C. elegans also negatively regulate vulval development in this
organism (see p.
3461). PUF proteins - socalled because the first to be identified
were the Drosophila Pumilio and the C. elegans FBF proteins
- bind to their target mRNAs through PUF repeat motifs. Using detailed genetic
analyses, the researchers show that fbf-1 and fbf-2 act
redundantly to inhibit the specification of the primary vulval cell fate,
which is induced by MAPK signalling. puf-8, they report, plays a
distinct role in vulval development by temporally restricting the response of
vulval precursor cells to this and other patterning signals. Because PUF
proteins are highly conserved, the researchers suggest that these
translational repressors may fine-tune other signalling pathways during animal
development.
Related articles in Development:
- Distinct roles of the Pumilio and FBF translational repressors during C. elegans vulval development
- Claudia B. Walser, Gopal Battu, Erika Fröhli Hoier, and Alex Hajnal
Development 2006 133: 3461-3471.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
