Injected anti-sense RNAs specifically block messenger RNA translation in vivo

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.