CELE_ZC404.8, pip-1, gei-20, ZC404.8

spn-4 encodes a protein containing an RNP-type RNA-binding domain; SPN-4 is required for rotation, but not polarization, of the mitotic spindle in the P1 blastomere of the two-cell stage embryo; SPN-4 is also required for mesectoderm and mesendoderm formation in conjunction with proper localization of maternal cell-fate determinants such as SKN-1; in addition, SPN-4 binds the glp-1 3' UTR and is necessary for glp-1 mRNA translation in the anterior blastomeres of the early embryo; conversely, SPN-4 binds and suppresses translation of pal-1 and skn-1 mRNAs in anterior blastomeres; in vitro, SPN-4 interacts with POS-1, a CCCH-type zinc finger protein that negatively regulates glp-1 mRNA translation in posterior blastomeres; SPN-4 is a P granule component, but is also detected in oocytes, the AB and P1 blastomeres at the two-cell stage, and in all four blastomeres at the four-cell stage, with higher levels in EMS and P2.

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