Genes, Vol. 15, Pages 283: Transcriptomic Profiling at the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition in Leech, Helobdella austinensis

In this study, we focused on a narrow developmental time window of ~6–8 h, comprising stages just prior to and immediately following zygote deposition. Employing RNA-Seq methodology, we identified differentially expressed transcripts at this fundamental ontogenic boundary, known as the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). Gene expression changes were characterized by the massive degradation of maternal RNAs (~45%) coupled with the rapid transcription of ~5000 zygotic genes (~20% of the genome) in the first mitotic cell cycle. The latter transcripts encoded a mixture of cell maintenance and regulatory proteins that predictably influence downstream developmental events.

Source: Genes - February 24, 2024 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Samuel Hsaio Naim Saglam David Morrow Daniel H. Shain Tags: Article Source Type: research