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R Old

Publications and source records attributed to R Old.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

RNA 3' cleavage and polyadenylation in oocytes and unfertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis.

Xenopus laevis histone H4 and H1 genes were transcribed in vitro to generate artificial precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs). These pre-mRNAs were microinjected into oocytes, matured oocytes, and unfertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis and their 3' cleavage and polyadenylation were investigated. In the oocyte nucleus both H4 and H1 pre-mRNAs were 3' cleaved but were not detectably polyadenylated. In the oocyte cytoplasm there was neither 3' cleavage nor polyadenylation of these histone pre-mRNAs. When injected into either matured oocytes or unfertilized eggs, the pre-mRNAs underwent 3' cleavage but this was inefficient when compared to the oocyte nucleus. In addition approximately 50% of the remaining uncleaved pre-mRNA was subject to a polyadenylation activity which added A tails of approximately 70 A residues. In contrast, artificial mouse beta-globin pre-mRNAs were not detectably 3' cleaved or polyadenylated in either microinjected oocytes or unfertilized eggs.

Animals

Recombinant plasmids containing Xenopus laevis globin structural genes derived from complementary DNA.

Details are presented of the in vitro synthesis of double-stranded DNA complementary to purified Xenopus globin messenger RNA, using a combination of reverse transcriptase, fragment 'A' of E. coli DNA polymerase 1 and S1 endonuclease. After selection of duplex DNA molecules approaching the length of Xenopus globin messenger RNA by sedimentation of the DNA through neutral sucrose gradients, the 3'-OH termini of the synthetic globin gene sequences were extended with short tracts of oligo dGMP using terminal transferase. This material was integrated into oligo dCMP-extended linear pCR1 plasmid DNA and amplified by transfection of E. coli. Plasmids carrying globin sequences were identified by hybridization of 32P-labelled globin mRNA to total cellular DNA in situ, by hybridization of purified plasmids to globin cDNA in solution, by analysis of recombinant DNA on polyacrylamide and agarose gels, and by heteroduplex mapping. The results show that extensive DNA copies of Xenopus globin mRNA have been integrated into recombinant plasmids.

Animals