In vivo expression of β-galactosidase by rat oviduct exposed to naked DNA or messenger RNA

Intra-oviductal administration of RNA obtained from oviducts of estradiol-treated rats resulted in accelerated egg transport (Ríos et al., 1997). It is probable that estradiol-induced messenger RNA (mRNA) entered oviductal cells and was translated into the proteins involved in accelerated egg transport. In order to test this interpretation we deposited in vivo 50 μg of pure β-galactosidase (β-gal) mRNA, 50 μg of pure DNA from the reporter gene β-gal under SV40 promoter or the vehicle (control oviducts) into the oviductal lumen of rats. Twenty four hours later the β-gal activity was assayed in oviductal tissue homogenates using o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside as a substrate. The administration of β-gal mRNA and pSVBgal plasmid increased β-gal activity by 71% and 142%, respectively, over the control oviducts. These results indicate that naked DNA and mRNA coding for β-gal can enter oviductal cells and he translated into an active enzyme. They are consistent with the interpretation that embryo transport acceleration caused by the injection of estradiol-induced RNA in the oviduct involves translation of the injected mRNA.