Summary
Previous studies indicate that the genes controlling cell-specific functions in extant metazoans derive from housekeeping genes of their unicellular ancestors. Traces of such relationships can be found in the gene families controlling signal reception at cell surfaces and light condensation in eye lens. We present other examples of gene remodeling taken in the field of germ cell-specific proteins. In amphibian oocytes several proteins contribute to edification of an efficient translation machinery for the future embryo. Some RNA components of this machinery have to be protected against degradation during growth of the oocytes in the ovary. The protective function is served by a small group of RNA-binding proteins deriving from universal transcription or translation factors. Several of those proteins are bifunctional.
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Mazabraud, A., Wegnez, M. & Denis, H. Origin of several abundant proteins of amphibian oocytes. J Mol Evol 35, 546–550 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160215
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160215