Analysis of RNA transport in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells

In eukaryotes, many RNA species are transcribed, processed in the nucleus, and exported to the cytoplasm, where they are destined to function or to be further matured. Some RNAs are even reimported to the nucleus. In addition, many RNAs are localized at specific nuclear bodies before their export and/or after their nuclear reimport. To understand how RNAs are transported, Xenopus oocytes are extremely useful cells, thanks to their large size. RNA transport can be easily examined by microinjecting radioactively or fluorescently labeled RNAs into Xenopus oocytes. Mammalian cultured cells are sometimes useful by virtue of RNA-FISH technique. Here, we describe methods to analyze RNA localization and export using these cells.