Human α1 ‐antitrypsin expression in Xenopus oocytes

Abstract
Injection of equivalent amounts of normal (PiMM) or abnormal (PiZZ) α1‐antitrypsin mRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in secretion of both the normal and abnormal α1‐antitrypsin. A much lower proportion of the abnormal protein was secreted, and the Z α1‐antitrypsin that was not secreted accumulated within the cell in a high‐mannose form. The time taken for secretion of the normal and abnormal proteins was identical. Both the secreted and intracellular α1‐antitrypsin synthesized by oocytes were functionally active.