Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Visualizing RNA Localization in Xenopus Oocytes
Published on: January 14, 2010
Vegetal messenger RNA localization directed by a 340-nt RNA sequence element in Xenopus oocytes
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Abstract:
Contained within a single cell, the fertilized egg, is information that will ultimately specify the entire organism. During early embryonic cleavages, cells acquire distinct fates and their differences in developmental potential might be explained by localization of informational molecules in the egg. The mechanisms by which Vg1 RNA, a maternal mRNA, is translocated to the vegetal pole of Xenopus oocytes may indicate how developmental signals are localized. Data presented here show that a 340-nucleotide localization signal present in the 3' untranslated region of Vg1 RNA is sufficient to direct RNA localization to the vegetal pole.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Splicing
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
Nucleic Acid Structure
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

