title: Expression of exogenous mRNA in Xenopus laevis embryos for the study of cell cycle regulation.
abstract: The microinjection of mRNA that is transcribed and capped in vitro into fertilized eggs and embryos of Xenopus laevis provides a powerful means for discovering the function of proteins during early development. Proteins may be overexpressed for a gain-of-function effect or exogenous protein function may be compromised by the microinjection of mRNA encoding "dominant-negative" proteins. This methodology is particularly suited for the investigation of the regulation of the cell cycle, checkpoints, and apoptosis in early development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Jill C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sible
authors.forename: Brian N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Wroble
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D004996:Ethidium; D005306:Fertilization; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004996:Ethidium