Nonradioactive northern blotting for the determination of acetylcholinesterase mRNA. Comparison to the radioactive technique

A sensitive nonradioactive northern blotting for the detection of acetylcho linesterase mRNA in mammalian tissues is described and compared to its radi oactive version. Best results were obtained if digoxigenin labeled RNA prob e was used for hybridization and CDP-Star(TM), a chemiluminescent alkaline phosphatase substrate. for detection. The described nonradioactive techniqu e for acetylcholinesterase mRNA determination is as sensitive as the radioa ctive one, but requires no protection against radiation and is less time co nsuming. Because of higher stability of the labeled probe, nonradioactive t echnique is also more convenient from the standpoint of experimental planni ng.