DAZAP1, an RNA-binding protein required for development and spermatogenesis, can regulate mRNA translation

Human DAZAP1 has a conserved ability to stimulate translation. SDS-PAGE analysis of (A) ³⁵S-Met labeled uninjected (−) oocytes or those injected with MS2-U1A or MS2-hDAZAP1 mRNAs or (B) in vitro translated MS2-xDAZAP1, MS2-hDAZAP1, or control (−). MS2-U1A, MS2-hDAZAP1, and MS2-xDAZAP1 contain 21, 12, and 13 methionine residues, respectively. The positions of fusion proteins are indicated by asterisks. (C) Tethered-function analysis in oocytes expressing MS2-U1A, MS2-hDAZAP1, or MS2-mouse Dazl (mDazl), an mRNA-specific activator that serves as a positive control. (D) Oocytes expressing MS2-U1A or MS2-hDAZAP1 were injected with luciferase mRNAs with (luc-MS2) or without (luc-ΔMS2) MS2-binding sites and a β-galactosidase mRNA. Data are plotted as in Figure 1A.