Xenopus
ZFP36L1 (zinc finger protein 36, C3H type-like 1) belongs to the ZFP36 family of RNA-binding proteins, which
contains two characteristic tandem CCCH-type zinc-finger domains. The ZFP36 proteins can bind AU-rich elements in 3'
untranslated regions of target mRNAs and promote their turnover. However, the expression and role of
ZFP36 genes during neural
development in
Xenopus embryos remains largely unknown. The present study showed that
Xenopus ZFP36L1 was expressed at the
dorsal part of the forebrain, forebrain-midbrain boundary, and midbrain-hindbrain boundary from late neurula stages to tadpole
stages of embryonic development. Overexpression of XZFP36L1 in
Xenopus embryos inhibited neural induction and differentiation,
leading to severe neural tube defects. The function of XZP36L1 requires both its zinc finger and C terminal domains, which also
affect its subcellular localization. These results suggest that XZFP36L1 is likely involved in neural development in
Xenopus and
might play an important role in post-transcriptional regulation.
