Identification and characterization of the gene encoding human cytoplasmicpolyadenylation element binding protein

The maturation of human oocytes occurs in the absence of gene transcription . In model organisms, such as Drosophila, Xenopus, and the mouse, oocyte ma turation and early pattern formation is mediated through the regulated tran slation of maternally derived mRNAs. The maturation-dependent stimulation o f maternal mRNA translation is correlated with increases in poly(A) tail le ngth, controlled through a process termed cytoplasmic polyadenylation. Howe ver, this mechanism of mRNA translational control has not been characterize d in humans. In this study we report the cloning of a human cytoplasmic pol yadenylation element binding (hCPEB) protein with sequence-specific RNA bin ding activity. Our data demonstrate that alternative splicing generates hCP EB mRNAs that encode proteins with a conserved C-terminal RNA binding domai n but with different N-terminal regulatory domains. The hCPEB mRNA is expre ssed in the brain and heart as well as in immature oocytes, consistent with the hypothesis that cytoplasmic polyadenylation may regulate the translati on of human mRNAs in both oocytes and somatic cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.