Review Article

Expression of elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) and 1βγ (EF-1βγ) are uncoupled in early Xenopus embryos

  1. Julia Morales1,
  2. Thérèse Bassez2,
  3. Patrick Cormier1,
  4. Odile Mulner-Lorillon1,
  5. Robert Bellé1,
  6. Dr. H. Beverley Osborne2,*

Article first published online: 6 FEB 2005

DOI: 10.1002/dvg.1020140605

Issue

Developmental Genetics

Developmental Genetics

Volume 14, Issue 6, pages 440–448, 1993

Additional Information

How to Cite

Morales, J., Bassez, T., Cormier, P., Mulner-Lorillon, O., Bellé, R. and Osborne, H. B. (1993), Expression of elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) and 1βγ (EF-1βγ) are uncoupled in early Xenopus embryos. Developmental Genetics, 14: 440–448. doi: 10.1002/dvg.1020140605

Author Information

  1. 1

    Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Reproduction, URA 1449 CNRS, INRA, Université de Paris VI, 9, Quai St. Bernard, Paris, France

  2. 2

    Département de Biologie et Génétique du Développement, URA 256 CNRS, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes Cédex, France

*Département de Biologie et Génétique du Développement, CNRS URA 256, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes cédex, France

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 FEB 2005
  2. Article first published online: 6 FEB 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 9 AUG 1993
  4. Manuscript Received: 14 JUN 1993

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Keywords:

  • Translation;
  • elongation factors;
  • development;
  • Xenopus laevis

Abstract

In the amphibian Xenopus laevis, the elongation factor 1α proteins (EF-1α) synthesised in oocytes and somatic cells correspond to distinct gene products. Furthermore, the somatic EF-1α gene (EF-1αS) produces one of the most highly expressed early zygotic transcripts in the embryo. The functional recycling of EF-1α (conversion of EF-1α-GDP to EF-1α-GTP) is assured by the EF-1βγ complex. We show here that in Xenopus laevis embryos, contrary to the situation for EF-1α, EF-1β, and EF-1γ mRNAs are transcribed from the same genes in oocytes and somatic cells. In addition, the onset of transcription of the EF-1β and EF-1γ genes from the zygotic gencme occurs several hours after that of the somatic EF-1αS gene. Therefore, during early Xenopus development the expression of these three elongation factors is not co-ordinated at the transcriptional level. The consequences of this uncoupling on the efficiency of translational elongation in the early Xenopus embryo are discussed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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