Effects of estradiol on early messenger RNA in male Xenopus laevis liver.

Cytoplasmic RNA isolated from male Xenopus liver between 1 and 6 h of hormone treatment was separated into distinct classes by Sepharose 4B chromatography. Assay of the mRNA activity of these RNA species in the wheat germ cell-free system demonstrated 2 populations of mRNA activity (peak 2 and peak 3). The activity of 1 population of mRNA (peak 2) was inducible by estradiol while the other (peak 3) remained unaltered for at least 6 h. mRNAs obtained by Sepharose 4B chromatography were also translated in the Xenopus oocyte. The translation products were analyzed by Sephadex chromatography and SDS-gel electrophoresis.