The translational functions of embryonic poly(A)-binding protein during gametogenesis and early embryo development.

Embryonic poly(A)-binding protein (EPAB) is an RNA-binding protein that binds to the poly(A) tails and AU-rich element at the 3' ends of messenger RNA (mRNAs). The main functions of EPAB are to protect stored mRNAs from undergoing deadenylation and subsequent degradation and to be involved in their translational regulation during spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and early embryogenesis. Following the first characterization of Epab in the Xenopus oocytes and early embryos, spatial and temporal expression and potential roles of the Epab gene have been determined in the vertebrate germ cells and early embryos. In this review, we have comprehensively evaluated all studies in this field and discussed the particular functions of EPAB in the spermatogenic cells, oocytes, early embryos, and somatic cells in vertebrates.