Activation of RNA Synthesis Associated with Gastrulation

Abstract

Gastrulation in the amphibian embryo marks the onset of widespread, de novo cell differentiation. In this communication we present the results of a radioautographic and biochemical study of gene activity as gastrulation takes place in Xenopus laevis. We have found that gene activation occurs abruptly within a 1-hr period preceding the onset of gastrulation and that most of the newly synthesized RNA resulting from this activation appears to be messenger RNA.

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