Xenopus laevis zygote arrest 2 (zar2) encodes a zinc finger RNA-binding protein that binds to the translational control sequence in the maternal Wee1 mRNA and regulates translation

► Zar2 binds to Translation Control Sequences (TCSs) in maternal mRNA. ► Zar2 requires Zn2+ to bind RNA. ► Zar2 represses mRNA translation in immature Xenopus oocytes. ► Zar2-mediated translational repression is relieved during Xenopus oocyte maturation.