Keith E. Latham

Conservation across species of mRNA features regulating maternal mRNA stability during mammalian oocyte maturation was analyzed. 3′-Untranslated region length and synonymous codon usage are positively associated with stability, while GC content is negatively associated. Just three RNA binding protein motifs were predicted to regulate mRNA stability across all five species examined, but associated pathways and functions are shared, indicating oocytes of different species arrive at comparable physiological destinations via different routes.