RNase Resistant RNA in the Egg of Xenopus laevis: I. RNA Extraction and in Vitro Labeling

RNA was extracted from the eggs of Xenopus laevis to do preliminary experiments before testing the possibility that if RNase resistant RNA molecules exist in the amphibian egg. Chromatography on Sephadex G-100 column indicated 3 peaks consistently. Only high molecular weight RNA species eluted in the first peak were labeled in vitro using $^{3}H$-dimethyl sulfate to eliminate the possible contribution of base paired oligonucleotides from tRNA. By this method, high specific activity could be obtained and the attached methyl groups were quite stable.