Topic Introduction

Using the Xenopus Oocyte Toolbox

  1. Kimberly L. Mowry1
  1. Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Box G-L268, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
  1. ↵1Correspondence: kimberly_mowry{at}brown.edu

Abstract

The Xenopus oocyte is a unique model system, allowing both the study of complex biological processes within a cellular context through expression of exogenous mRNAs and proteins, and the study of the cell, molecular, and developmental biology of the oocyte itself. During oogenesis, Xenopus oocytes grow dramatically in size, with a mature oocyte having a diameter of ∼1.3 mm, and become highly polarized, localizing many mRNAs and proteins. Thus, the mature oocyte is a repository of maternal mRNAs and proteins that will direct early embryogenesis prior to zygotic genome transcription. Importantly, the Xenopus oocyte also has the capacity to translate exogenous microinjected RNAs, which has enabled breakthroughs in a wide range of areas including cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and physiology. This introduction outlines how Xenopus oocytes can be used to study a variety of important biological questions.

Footnotes

  • From the Xenopus collection, edited by Hazel L. Sive.

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This Article

  1. Published in Advance January 24, 2020, doi: 10.1101/pdb.top095844 Cold Spring Harb Protoc © 2020 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
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