# Regulation of mRNA translation during germline cyst differentiation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $324,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Post-transcriptional gene regulation has emerged as a critical control mechanism that
orchestrates diverse cellular processes during germ cell differentiation. We have
extensive preliminary data that demonstrate cytoplasmic Rbfox1 represses the
translation of specific target mRNAs that contain (U)GCAUG elements within their 3'
UTRs during specific stages of germline cyst differentiation. Through this proposal, we
seek to characterize the detailed mechanisms by which cytoplasmic Rbfox1 regulates
stage specific mRNA translation programs during germ cell cyst development. Our
general strategy is to (1) determine what mechanisms control the unique protein
expression pattern of Rbfox1 during the intermediate stages of germline cyst
differentiation, prior to the onset of meiosis, (2) characterize how Rbfox1 molecularly
regulates the translation of mRNA targets to achieve stage-specific translational
repression and (3) characterize how Rbfox1 regulates specific mRNAs that govern early
steps of germ cell development, such as pumilio and sex-lethal, and determine the
extent to which ectopic expression of these targets contributes to Rbfox1 mutant
phenotypes. We anticipate that these efforts will provide key insights into the
translational control hierarchies that promote the development of germ cells across
species.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9837451
- **Project number:** 5R01GM125812-03
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Buszczak
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $324,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9837451

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9837451, Regulation of mRNA translation during germline cyst differentiation (5R01GM125812-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9837451. Licensed CC0.

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