Transcription repression in Xenopus embryos. mRNA encoding Gal4–ET fusion proteins (1 ng) and a reporter plasmid (100 pg) were coinjected into animal pole of both cells at the two-cell stage. Individual embryos were harvested at stage 20. Similar results have been obtained from four experiments. Column 1, uninjected embryos; column 2, injection of reporter plasmid alone, with a relative luciferase activity of 100 ± 28.2; column 3, injection of the reporter plasmid and mRNA encoding Gal4–ET; column 4, injection of the reporter plasmid and mRNA encoding Gal4–ET(558–593); column 5, injection of the reporter plasmid and mRNA encoding Gal4–ET(558–647); column 6, injection of the reporter plasmid and mRNA encoding Gal4–ET(1–85).