Open AccessInjected anti-sense RNAs specifically block messenger RNA translation in vivo.
Author(s) -
Douglas A. Melton
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.82.1.144
Subject(s) - biology , messenger rna , rna , sense (electronics) , microbiology and biotechnology , translation (biology) , globin , gene expression , post transcriptional modification , gene , transcription (linguistics) , antisense rna , genetics , rna editing , chemistry , linguistics , philosophy
As a test for a method to analyze gene function in embryogenesis, the translation of a specific mRNA has been blocked in vivo by microinjection of complementary (anti-sense) RNA. RNA complementary to globin mRNA was synthesized in vitro by transcription of an inverted globin cDNA clone. After injection into frog oocyte cytoplasm, the anti-sense globin RNA forms a hybrid with globin mRNA and selectively prevents its translation. Deletion mapping of the anti-sense RNA shows that the 5' region of the globin mRNA must be covered in order to block translation. This method may allow one to study the function of many genes for which DNA clones are available by preventing the expression of the endogenous gene as protein.