# DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN GENES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 1994 · $184,976

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION:  (Adapted from applicant's abstract):  The expression of
ribosomal protein genes during Xenopus oogenesis and embryogenesis is
regulated at the translational level and provides an excellent example of a
developmental process amenable to analysis at the molecular level.  This
proposal focuses on three major aspects of the structure, regulation, and
function of these genes.  First, the factors that constitute the
deadenylation activity which is required for the translational inactivation
of maternal ribosomal protein mRNAs during oocyte maturation will be
purified.  In vitro systems will be used in order to biochemically
characterize the deadenylation activity, its mechanism of poly(A) removal,
and to determine its regulation during maturation and embryogenesis will be
analyzed both in vivo and in vitro.  These studies will further delineate
cis-acting elements located in the 5' untranslated region of the ribosomal
protein L1 mRNA that are required for this regulation.  A cell-free extract
derived from embryos retains the proper translational regulation of
ribosomal protein mRNAs in vitro.  This system will be used to identify
transacting proteins involved in translational control and to determine the
specificity of their interactions with ribosomal protein mRNAs.  The role
of translation initiation factor 4E in the control of ribosomal protein
synthesis during embryogenesis will be ascertained.  Third, functional
domains within ribosomal protein L5 that are responsible for 5S rRNA
binding, nuclear and nucleolar localization, and 60S subunit assembly will
be identified.  Biochemical and immunological assays will be used to
determine the interrelationships among the regions of this protein
responsible for these aspects of its function.

These analyses will be undertaken in vivo by the microinjection of cloned
ribosomal protein genes and systematically altered versions of these genes
and gene products into oocytes and fertilized eggs.  Parallel studies in
vitro will use cell-free systems derived from oocytes and embryos at
appropriate developmental stages to reconstitute translational control.
These studies will provide basic information on specific RNA-protein
interactions that are required for the coordinate control of constitutively
expressed structural genes during normal development and the biosynthesis
of the eukaryotic ribosome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197513
- **Project number:** 5R01HD017691-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JJG6HU8PA4S5
- **Principal Investigator:** W. Michael Wormington
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $184,976
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-04-01 → 1996-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197513

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197513, DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN GENES (5R01HD017691-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197513. Licensed CC0.

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