Wang Xiaobo, Voronina Ekaterina
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Feb 6;8:29. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00029. eCollection 2020.
Stem cell development depends on post-transcriptional regulation mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) (Zhang et al., 1997; Forbes and Lehmann, 1998; Okano et al., 2005; Ratti et al., 2006; Kwon et al., 2013). Pumilio and FBF (PUF) family RBPs are highly conserved post-transcriptional regulators that are critical for stem cell maintenance (Wickens et al., 2002; Quenault et al., 2011). The RNA-binding domains of PUF proteins recognize a family of related sequence motifs in the target mRNAs, yet individual PUF proteins have clearly distinct biological functions (Lu et al., 2009; Wang et al., 2018). The germline is a simple and powerful model system for analyzing regulation of stem cell development. Studies in uncovered specific physiological roles for PUFs expressed in the germline stem cells ranging from control of proliferation and differentiation to regulation of the sperm/oocyte decision. Importantly, recent studies started to illuminate the mechanisms behind PUF functional divergence. This review summarizes the many roles of PUF-8, FBF-1, and FBF-2 in germline stem and progenitor cells (SPCs) and discusses the factors accounting for their distinct biological functions. PUF proteins are conserved in evolution, and insights into PUF-mediated regulation provided by the model system are likely relevant for other organisms.
干细胞的发育依赖于由RNA结合蛋白（RBPs）介导的转录后调控（Zhang等人，1997年；Forbes和Lehmann，1998年；Okano等人，2005年；Ratti等人，2006年；Kwon等人，2013年）。Pumilio和FBF（PUF）家族的RBPs是高度保守的转录后调控因子，对干细胞的维持至关重要（Wickens等人，2002年；Quenault等人，2011年）。PUF蛋白的RNA结合结构域识别靶mRNA中的一类相关序列基序，但单个PUF蛋白具有明显不同的生物学功能（Lu等人，2009年；Wang等人，2018年）。生殖系是分析干细胞发育调控的一个简单而强大的模型系统。对生殖系干细胞中表达的PUF的研究揭示了其特定的生理作用，范围从增殖和分化的控制到精子/卵母细胞决定的调控。重要的是，最近的研究开始阐明PUF功能差异背后的机制。本综述总结了PUF-8、FBF-1和FBF-2在生殖系干细胞和祖细胞（SPCs）中的多种作用，并讨论了导致它们不同生物学功能的因素。PUF蛋白在进化中是保守的，由该模型系统提供的对PUF介导调控的见解可能与其他生物体相关。
