{
  "abstract": "Precise spatiotemporal control of protein synthesis is essential during embryogenesis, yet directly measuring translation kinetics in vivo remains challenging in vertebrates. In particular, it remains unclear how translation efficiency is determined for key developmental regulators, and which kinetic steps limit their production. Here, we used ALFA array-based nascent chain labeling combined with lattice light-sheet microscopy to visualize bmp2b translation in real time and at single-molecule resolution in early zebrafish embryos. When combined with MS2/MCP labeling to visualize all bmp2b mRNAs, we found that only some of them are being actively translated, suggesting that limited mRNA translation competence contributes to overall translation efficiency. We found that bmp2b translation operates below a maximal initiation regime, as replacement of its UTRs with viral UTRs increases ribosome loading. Furthermore, the bmp2b , but not actb2 , 5′UTR supports cap-independent translation with ribosome loading comparable to cap-dependent initiation. Altogether, this approach provides a quantitative in vivo framework to dissect translation kinetics during early vertebrate development. Teaser Single-molecule imaging reveals bmp2b translation dynamics and cap-dependent and - independent initiation in zebrafish embryos.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Hessen 61231, Germany.",
    "Imaging Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Hessen 61231, Germany.",
    "Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.",
    "Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 9004, Université de Montpellier, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier 34293, Cedex 5, France.",
    "German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Rhine-Main, Bad Nauheim, Germany.",
    "Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Bad Nauheim, Germany."
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Maëlle Bellec",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9029-0042"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jie Liang",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7606-9088"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kenny Mattonet",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9705-8086"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Tatsuya Morisaki",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7401-4673"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Margaux Lay",
      "orcid": "0009-0009-1255-6990"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Hans-Martin Maischein"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Damien Avinens"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Vincent Martinet"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Delphine Muriaux",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-8517-9342"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Timothy J. Stasevich",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0151-6274"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Jérémy Dufourt",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4043-7250"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Didier Y. R. Stainier",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0382-0026"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4synbsb2y5mqn.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1126/sciadv.aeb6883",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "4synbsb2y5mqn",
  "issns": [
    "2375-2548"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb6883",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220868725",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-09",
  "publisher": "American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4synbsb2y5mqn.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:41Z",
      "native_id": "10.1126/sciadv.aeb6883",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb6883"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Real-time single-molecule imaging in zebrafish embryos uncovers noncanonical translation",
  "title_text": "Real-time single-molecule imaging in zebrafish embryos uncovers noncanonical translation",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4synbsb2y5mqn",
  "venue": "Science Advances",
  "versions": []
}