The mRNA encoding elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) is a major transcript at the midblastula transition in Xenopus

A Xenopus laevis gastrula cDNA library has been screened in order to identify sequences that are expressed early in development. We find that the mRNA encoding translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) is synthesized in very large amounts in the early embryo. Transcription of EF-1α mRNA commences at the midblastula transition (MBT), and new EF-1α protein is synthesized very soon after this, as determined by the association of EF-1α mRNA with polysomes. The nucleotide sequence of a full-length EF-1α cDNA clone and the deduced amino acid sequence of Xenopus EF-1α protein are presented.