NCBI Summary:
The protein encoded by this gene is a key component of an mRNA-decapping complex required for degradation of mRNAs, both in normal mRNA turnover, and in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). It removes the 7-methyl guanine cap structure from mRNA, prior to its degradation from the 5' end. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been noted for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Jun 2011]
General function
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Cellular localization
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Ovarian function
Oocyte maturation, Early embryo development
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Oocyte
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Maternally-Recruited DCP1A and DCP2 Contribute to Messenger RNA Degradation During Oocyte Maturation and Genome Activation in Mouse. Ma J et al. The oocyte-to-zygote transition entails transforming a highly differentiated oocyte into totipotent blastomeres and represents one of the earliest obstacles that must be successfully hurdled for continued development. Degradation of maternal mRNAs, which likely lies at the heart of this transition, is characterized by a transition from mRNA stability to instability during oocyte maturation. Although phosphorylation of the oocyte-specific RNA-binding protein MSY2 during maturation is implicated in making maternal mRNAs more susceptible to degradation, mechanisms underlying mRNA degradation during oocyte maturation remain poorly understood. We report that DCP1A and DCP2, proteins responsible for decapping mRNA, are encoded by maternal mRNAs recruited for translation during maturation via cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements located in their 3' UTRs. Both DCP1A and DCP2 are phosphorylated during maturation, with CDC2A being the kinase likely responsible for both, although MAPK may be involved in DCP1A phosphorylation. Inhibiting accumulation of DCP1A and DCP2 by RNAi or morpholinos not only decreases degradation of mRNAs during meiotic maturation but also transcription of the zygotic genome. The results indicate that maternally-recruited DCP1A and DCP2 are critical players in the transition from mRNA stability to instability during meiotic maturation and that proper degradation maternal mRNA degradation is successful to execute the oocyte-to-zygote transition.