Early embryonic development occurs in the absence of transcription; instead, it relies on maternal mRNAs and proteins present within the egg. It is believed that this period of transcriptional quiescence is maintained by factors that eventually become titrated out during early cleavages, thus leading to zygotic genome activation. How exactly this transition occurs, however, is unclear. Here, Jim Smith, Steven Harvey and co-workers use exome sequencing and RNA-seq to distinguish between maternal and zygotic transcriptomes in early zebrafish embryos (p. 2703). Using single nucleotide polymorphisms to identify maternal and paternal transcriptomes, and using the appearance of paternal mRNAs as an indicator of zygotic transcription, the researchers identify the first zygotic genes to be expressed in the embryo. Zygotic transcription, they report, begins after ten cycles. Prior to this, changes in mRNA levels are observed but these are due to post-transcriptional regulation of maternal mRNAs and not due to transcription. Finally, the researchers demonstrate that different modes of regulation are required for zygotic transcription initiation.
Fishing out maternal and zygotic transcriptomes
Fishing out maternal and zygotic transcriptomes. Development 1 July 2013; 140 (13): e1302. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Development a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025

Do you have an idea for a Workshop? We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Biologists Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South (GS) country to host an event overseas.
Development presents… Outstanding Paper Prize Finalists

On Wednesday 19 April, Development hosted a webinar celebrating the finalists for Development’s Inaugural Outstanding Paper Prize. The talks and Q&As were hosted by our Deputy Editor, Steve Wilson (UCL).
Development Journal Meeting 2023

The Abstract deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Unconventional and Emerging Experimental Organisms in Cell and Developmental Biology’ is 23 June 2023. Find out more and apply here
Keeping up with the Node

Thirteen years on from its launch, the Node continues to be a place to share research stories, opinions, job adverts and event listings. Development have published a recent Editorial reviewing some of our most popular features, as well as introducing some new initiatives.