The zebrafish maternal-effect gene mission impossible encodes the DEAH-box helicase Dhx16 and is essential for the expression of downstream endodermal genes

► Zebrafish maternal-effect mutation mission impossible encodes DEAH-box helicase Dhx16 ► mis/dhx16 functions in morphogenesis during gastrulation ► Maternal mis/dhx16 is required for a downstream event in endoderm gene induction ► Suggest a role for mis/dhx16 in posttranscriptional regulation in somatic cells