A method for enucleating oocytes of Xenopus laevis.

A method is described for the enucleation and complete healing of Xenopus oocytes so that the enucleated oocytes withstand multiple injections and culture for several days. The oocytes are defolliculated and enucleated manually and allowed to heal in a potassium phosphate buffer. Oocytes enucleated in this way support RNA synthesis by injected HeLa-cell nuclei 3 days later. This method is valuable in providing a low-background system in which transcription of injected nuclei can be studied.