Voltage-operated channels induced by foreign messenger RNA in Xenopus oocytes

Abstract

Poly(A)$^{+}$ messenger RNA (mRNA) extracted from rat brains or from cat muscles was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. This led to the incorporation of voltage-operated Na$^{+}$ and K$^{+}$ channels into the oocyte membrane. These channels are not normally present in the oocyte and presumably result from the synthesis and processing of proteins coded by the injected mRNA. Tetrodotoxin blocked the Na$^{+}$ channels induced by mRNA derived from either innervated or denervated muscle.