Gene expression in Xenopus embryogenesis

Abstract

This article considers some aspects of the storage of macromolecules in the oocyte of Xenopus laevis and the activation of previously unexpressed genes during early embryogenesis. The large quantity and complex nature of poly(A)+ RNA accumulated in the egg provides the cleavage embryo with a supply of mRNA sufficient to sustain protein synthesis for several hours of development. Onset of gene activity at the midblastula transition (MBT) leads to the synthesis and accumulation of molecules of various RNA classes, including tRNAs, rRNAs, mRNAs and mitochondrial RNAs. At gastrulation the poly(A)+ RNA population is still qualitatively similar to that of the egg but some sequences not present in egg RNA have accumulated by this time. Through the use of a subtractive cDNA cloning procedure we have prepared a library of sequences that represent genes activated for the first time between MBT and gastrula. A study of several of these cDNA clones suggests that genes in this class are restricted in their activity to embryonic and tadpole stages.