In situ RT-PCR allows the detection of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in paraffin embedded archival human hyperplastic breast tissues

Expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is induced by c-Myc oncoprotein and is required for cell proliferation and tumour growth. We have studied the expression of ODC mRNA by in situ hybridisation and in situ RT-PCR in a rchival human hyperplastic breast tissues. A very low signal was detected b y in situ hybridisation, while the in situ RT-PCR on human breast archival tissues demonstrated an over-expression of ODC mRNA in epithelial cells cha racterised by some degree of hyperplasia, maintaining the morphology of the archival tissue intact despite the multiple steps of fixation, permeabiliz ation and thermal cycling.