In-cell NMR in Xenopus laevis oocytes

For the purpose of studying IDPs inside cells of higher organisms, several eukaryotic in-cell NMR systems have been developed over the past years. In this chapter we will focus on high-resolution in-cell NMR applications in Xenopus laevis oocytes, the first eukaryotic cellular model system to be established. In contrast to prokaryotic in-cell NMR samples, eukaryotic in-cell NMR specimens are prepared by cytoplasmic delivery of an exogenously produced, isotope-labeled protein into the non-isotope-labeled environment of the respective "host" cell. In-cell NMR applications in Xenopus oocytes rely on intracellular sample deposition by direct microinjection into the oocyte cytoplasm. Here, we describe the preparation of oocyte in-cell NMR samples for IDP studies in this cellular model environment.