The transcription and translation of DNA injected into oocytes.

Abstract

Previous work from this group has shown that purified DNA injected into frog eggs is replicated semi-conservatively (Laskey & Gurdon 1973; Ford & Woodland 1975; Laskey & Melton 1978), and that purified messenger RNA injected into eggs or oocytes is efficiently translated (Gurdon, Lane, Woodland & Marbaix 1971). For the last few years we have tried to obtain transcription of genes injected into oocytes or eggs, either as whole nuclei or as purified molecules of DNA. Genes contained in whole nuclei are transcribed and translated into recognizable proteins (Gurdon, De Robertis & Partington 1976; De Robertis, Partington, Longthorne & Gurdon 1977; further references in De Robertis, Partington & Gurdon 1978, this volume). We summarize here our evidence that purified DNA is transcribed into RNA and translated into proteins after injection into oocytes and eggs of the frog Xenopus laevis .