Int. J. Dev. Biol. 60: 65 - 69 (2016)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.150409th

Vol 60, Issue 1-2-3

Expressional characterization of mRNA (guanine-7) methyltransferase (rnmt) during early development of Xenopus laevis

Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 10 March 2016

Ashwin Lokapally, Sanjeeva Metikala and Thomas Hollemann*

Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Halle (Saale), Germany

Abstract

Methylation of the guanosine cap structure at the 5’ end of mRNA is essential for efficient translation of all eukaryotic cellular mRNAs, gene expression and cell viability and promotes transcription, splicing, polyadenylation and nuclear export of mRNA. In the current study, we present the spatial expression pattern of the Xenopus laevis rnmt homologue. A high percentage of protein sequence similarity, especially within the methyltransferase domain, as well as an increased expression in the cells of the transcriptionally active stages, suggests a conserved RNA cap methylation function. Spatial expression analysis identified expression domains in the brain, the retina, the lens, the otic vesicles and the branchial arches.

Keywords

rnmt, methylation, 5’ cap structure