MES-2, a maternal protein essential for viability of the germline in Caenorhabditis elegans, is homologous to a Drosophila Polycomb group protein.

MES-2, a maternal protein essential for viability of the germline in Caenorhabditis elegans, is homologous to a Drosophila Polycomb group protein.
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DOI：
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发表时间：
1998-07
期刊：
Development
影响因子：
4.6
通讯作者：
R. Holdeman;Sarah Nehrt;S. Strome
R. Holdeman;Sarah Nehrt;S. Strome
中科院分区：
生物学2区
文献类型：
--
作者：
R. Holdeman;Sarah Nehrt;S. Strome

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生殖细胞的一个独特和基本特征是它们的永生性。在秀丽隐杆线虫中，种系永生需要来自四个基因的母体贡献，即mes-2、mes-3、mes-4和mes-6。我们在这里报告，mes-2编码的蛋白质类似于果蝇Polycomb组蛋白，增强zeste，并在所附的文件，mes-6编码另一个Polycomb组蛋白。Polycomb组负责维持果蝇中同源异型和其他基因的正确表达模式。据认为，Polycomb组蛋白形成异聚体复合物，并通过改变靶基因的染色质构象来控制基因表达。如从其与Polycomb组蛋白的相似性所预测的，MES-2定位于细胞核。MES-2存在于幼虫和成虫的生殖细胞核以及早期胚胎的所有细胞核中。到胚胎发生结束时，MES-2主要在两个原始生殖细胞中检测到。MES-2的正确分布需要mes-3和mes-6的野生型功能。我们推测mes-2编码一种在早期生殖细胞中的基因表达的母体调节因子，它的功能对于生殖细胞的正常早期发育和生存能力是必不可少的。
A unique and essential feature of germ cells is their immortality. In Caenorhabditis elegans, germline immortality requires the maternal contribution from four genes, mes-2, mes-3, mes-4 and mes-6. We report here that mes-2 encodes a protein similar to the Drosophila Polycomb group protein, Enhancer of zeste, and in the accompanying paper that mes-6 encodes another Polycomb group protein. The Polycomb group is responsible for maintaining proper patterns of expression of the homeotic and other genes in Drosophila. It is thought that Polycomb group proteins form heteromeric complexes and control gene expression by altering chromatin conformation of target genes. As predicted from its similarity to a Polycomb group protein, MES-2 localizes to nuclei. MES-2 is found in germline nuclei in larval and adult worms and in all nuclei in early embryos. By the end of embryogenesis, MES-2 is detected primarily in the two primordial germ cells. The correct distribution of MES-2 requires the wild-type functions of mes-3 and mes-6. We hypothesize that mes-2 encodes a maternal regulator of gene expression in the early germline; its function is essential for normal early development and viability of germ cells.