Gametes and RNA Decay – GaRDe

Regulation of the different steps of the gene expression pathway in mammalian organisms contributes to development and cell differentiation. Hence, it has been shown that regulation of mRNA stability, mainly achieved by modulating the rate of poly(A) tail trimming, participates to the control of protein levels. We and others have previously characterized a new module of the mammalian CCR4-NOT complex mediating mRNA poly(A) tail removal; yet the function of these subunits remained unclear. We have now identified a partner of this module. Interestingly, inactivation of this partner has been linked to defective differentiation of male germ cells in mice. Combining the complementary expertise of 3 teams, we propose an integrated analysis of this assembly to solve its structural organization, define its molecular function, and understand its critical role in male gamete development and differentiation.