Nanos 3' UTR translation control element
Encyclopedia
Nanos 3' UTR translation control element is a cis-regulatory element
in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the messenger RNA which encodes the Nanos protein
. The Nanos protein in Drosophila is required for correct morphogenesis
(anterior/posterior patterning) in the Drosophila embryo. Translation
of the Nanos mRNA is repressed in the bulk cytoplasm
and activated in the posterior region. The translation control element (TCE) in the 3'UTR forms a Y-shaped secondary structure
, part of which is recognised by the Smaug protein and leads to translational repression.
Cis-regulatory element
A cis-regulatory element or cis-element is a region of DNA or RNA that regulates the expression of genes located on that same molecule of DNA . This term is constructed from the Latin word cis, which means "on the same side as". These cis-regulatory elements are often binding sites for one or...
in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the messenger RNA which encodes the Nanos protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
. The Nanos protein in Drosophila is required for correct morphogenesis
Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis , is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape...
(anterior/posterior patterning) in the Drosophila embryo. Translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
of the Nanos mRNA is repressed in the bulk cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
and activated in the posterior region. The translation control element (TCE) in the 3'UTR forms a Y-shaped secondary structure
Secondary structure
In biochemistry and structural biology, secondary structure is the general three-dimensional form of local segments of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids...
, part of which is recognised by the Smaug protein and leads to translational repression.