Maternal RNAs are transferred through the oocyte cytoplasm to the fertilized progeny. In metazoans, these transcripts play a critical role in patterning embryonic development prior to the maternal-to-zygotic transition. The 3'UTR appears to be the primary determinant controlling the pattern of maternal RNA expression in the germline and in the embryo. The 3’UTR also directs robust translation in male gametes, suggesting a possible role for mRNA inheritance through the male germline in C. elegans. Specifically, the set-2 3'UTR drives strong translation of a GFP reporter in sperm. This study aims on identifying cis acting elements in this UTR that confer strong sperm-specific translation, and screening for trans acting RNA binding proteins that influence sperm translation efficiency.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Khazal, Zahra Salem

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-171652

Advisor

• Srinivasan, Jagan

Year

• 2017

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright