Figure 3

Localization of the Rat and Human Tubβ4 3'-UTRs in Xenopus oocytes. The 3'-UTR of rat or human Tubβ4 (Acc. # 82522352 and BC013683, respectively), and human Stx1B2 (Acc. # BC062298) were synthesized and labelled in vitro with Alexa-Fluor-546-UTP. These fluorescently labelled RNAs were then microinjected into stage II Xenopus oocytes. All three RNAs localize to the vegetal pole, which is oriented downwards in all panels. A fragment of the Xenopus β-globin gene (XβG) was used as a negative control for localization, whereas the mitochondrial cloud RNA localization element from the Xenopus Xcat-2 mRNA (MCLE) was used as a positive control. Note that the extent of Stx1B2 localization is higher than that of either Tubβ4 RNA. Arrows depict the localized RNA towards the vegetal pole and GV indicates the germinal vesicle (nucleus) in these cells which are ~300 μm diameter.