[C.elegansII] zu154 : maternal effect lethal, often with two distinct pharynges; additional pharynx and intestinal tissue from P2 (transformed to EMS fate).OA1. Cloned: encodes zinc finger protein, localized to nuclei of germ line blastomeres. [Mello et al. 1992; Mango et al. 1994; EU; JJ]
pie-1 encodes a C-x8-C-x5-C-x3-H-type zinc-finger protein; maternally provided PIE-1 is essential for germline cell fate determination, as it functions as a repressor of RNA polymerase II-dependent gene expression in the developing germ line; PIE-1 localization, initially uniform and then concentrated in the posterior germ cell lineages, is regulated by other maternally supplied gene products including PAR-1, MEX-5, and MEX-6.
Predicted to enable mRNA 3'-UTR binding activity. Involved in several processes, including embryonic pattern specification; formation of primary germ layer; and negative regulation of nitrogen compound metabolic process. Located in several cellular components, including P granule; centrosome; and cytosol. Expressed in germ line; head muscle; and nerve ring.