Figure 8

The relationship between mRNA decay, mRNA binding proteins and miRNAs. (a-c) Enrichment analyses (Fisher's exact test) were performed for genome-wide mRNA target sets of Pumilio [109], Smaug [43] and miR-309 cluster miRNAs [72] within our transcript classes (Figure 3). Expression dynamics of the regulators during the first 3 h AEL are indicated (see insets; units on x-axis are hours AEL). Odds ratios (enrichments and depletions) are shown on a log2 scale (y-axis); color code as in Figure 5; significance of enrichments is indicated by multiple testing corrected P-values (q-values). (d) miR-309 cluster targets: maternal decay plotted against zygotic decay. Note that most of the mRNA targets show maternal decay contributions. The dotted line represents the 1:1 ratio of maternal and zygotic decay. (e) miRNAs with strong expression restricted to early embryos; odds ratios of miRNA target set enrichment within the mixed decay class (V) and significance levels (q-values) are indicated. Embryonic expression modified after Ruby et al. [75]. (f) mRNA binding proteins (RBP) with dynamic expression (short mRNA half-life, protein log2 fold-change) in early embryos (see text for details). Grey shading highlights RBPs with both low mRNA half-lives and drops in protein levels.