Microinjection of genetic information in the form of
complimentary ribonucleic acid (cRNA) into the Xenopus
oocyte leads to the functional expression of the encoded
proteins. In this novel environment, exogenous proteins
may be functionally characterised under well-defined
conditions. Complimentary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA)
coding for the protein may be mutated, the altered cDNA
transcribed and polyadenylated in vitro to the corresponding
cRNA and the function of the resulting altered
protein is compared with that of the wild-type protein.
Theoocyte is a major expression system used inmembrane
protein structure–function studies. It is especially popular
for expression of membrane transport proteins such as
carriers and ion channels. In another approach, total
messenger RNA (mRNA) may be prepared from a tissue of
choice, microinjected into oocytes, the encoded functions
characterised and the encoding genetic information
isolated.
Introduction
