Emerging evidence suggests that the nuclear pore complex can have unique compositions and distinct nucleoporin functions in different cells. Here, we show that Nup107, a key component of the NPC scaffold, varies in expression over development: it is expressed at higher levels in the blastula compared to the gastrula suggesting a critical role prior to gastrulation. We find depletion of Nup107 affects the differentiation of the early germ layers leading to an expansion of the ectoderm at the expense of endoderm and mesoderm. By analyzing an RNAseq time course, we observed that depletion of Nup107 affects the maternal-zygotic transition by delaying the degradation of maternal transcripts that occurs as zygotic transcription begins. The transcripts are enriched in miR427 recognition sites, a conserved microRNA that destabilizes maternal transcripts including REST, which encodes a Kruppel-type zinc finger transcription factor that we demonstrate is critical for ectodermal cell fates. Mechanistically, we show that Nup107 is required to prevent the premature export of pri-miR427 transcript before processing. Nup107 depletion leads to the reduced production of mature miR427 and maternal transcript stabilization. We conclude that high levels of Nup107 in the early embryo are critical for the nuclear retention and subsequent processing of pri-miR427 transcripts that is required for timely maternal RNA clearance to enable gastrulation.
Nup107 contributes to the maternal to zygotic transition by preventing the premature nuclear export of pri-miRNA 427
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Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register your interest to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues
Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 15 May 2025.
Development presents…
Development is excited to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are chaired each month by a different Development Editor, who invites talks from authors of exciting new papers and preprints. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which topics are coming up and to catch up on recordings of past webinars.
Development’s Pathway to independence programme
We are delighted to announce a new call for our Pathway to Independence (PI) programme. This scheme is aimed at supporting postdocs planning to go on the job market in 2025, and will provide mentorship, training, networking and profile-raising opportunities. Apply by 31 Jan 2025.
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The Node is looking for new correspondents to work together with the team to develop and produce content over the coming year. Apply by 20 January 2025.
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