Coupled transcription-translation of DNA injected into Xenopus oocytes. 1977

E M De Robertis, and J E Mertz

A previous report from this laboratory showed that purified DNAs are transcribed after injection into the nucleus of Xenopus laevis oocytes (Mertz and Gurdon, 1977). Here we demonstrate that at least some of the RNA synthesized is translated within these injected cells to produce the correct protein products. Injection of Simian Virus 40 DNA into oocytes induces the synthesis of at least two proteins not normally synthesized in these cells. Using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and well characterized deletion mutants of SV40 that produce proteins of smaller size, we show that these two proteins are, indeed, the virus-coded proteins VP1 and VP3. Synthesis of VP1 and VP3 is inhibited by alpha-amanitin and, therefore, presumably mediated by a type II RNA polymerase. We also present evidence indicating that a histone-like protein is induced after the injection of a cloned plasmid DNA that codes for the Drosophila melanogaster histone proteins. This in vivo coupled transcription-translation system should be useful for identifying and mapping proteins coded by cloned eucaryotic DNAs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008845 Microinjections The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes. Microinjection
D009865 Oocytes Female germ cells derived from OOGONIA and termed OOCYTES when they enter MEIOSIS. The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested at the diplotene state until OVULATION at PUBERTY to give rise to haploid secondary oocytes or ova (OVUM). Ovocytes,Oocyte,Ovocyte
D010063 Ovum A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the OVARY at OVULATION. Egg,Egg, Unfertilized,Ova,Eggs, Unfertilized,Unfertilized Egg,Unfertilized Eggs
D010957 Plasmids Extrachromosomal, usually CIRCULAR DNA molecules that are self-replicating and transferable from one organism to another. They are found in a variety of bacterial, archaeal, fungal, algal, and plant species. They are used in GENETIC ENGINEERING as CLONING VECTORS. Episomes,Episome,Plasmid
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D004279 DNA, Viral Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses. Viral DNA
D004331 Drosophila melanogaster A species of fruit fly frequently used in genetics because of the large size of its chromosomes. D. melanogaster,Drosophila melanogasters,melanogaster, Drosophila
D005260 Female Females
D000546 Amanitins Cyclic peptides extracted from carpophores of various mushroom species. They are potent inhibitors of RNA polymerases in most eukaryotic species, blocking the production of mRNA and protein synthesis. These peptides are important in the study of transcription. Alpha-amanitin is the main toxin from the species Amanitia phalloides, poisonous if ingested by humans or animals. Amanitin
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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