Fig. 2. Antisense oligonucleotides deplete endogenous maternal Cx38 and depress GJIC in oocytes. Antisense (oligos 1-4) or sense oligonucleotides were injected into defolliculated oocytes. After 24 hours, total RNA was extracted from a subset of oocytes and northern blotted. Specific degradation of Cx38 RNA was seen for all four oligos. Vg-1 probe was used as a loading control. The remaining oocytes were paired with Cx43 cRNA-injected oocytes, and the development of electrical conductance was monitored [mean conductance levels in microsiemens (µS), SD and number of pairs in parenthesis are below the blot]. All antisense oligonucleotides tested reduced conductance to background levels.