The use of quantitative RT-PCR to measure mRNA expression in a rat model of focal ischemia - caspase-3 as a case study

Quantitative reverse transcription and polymerisation chain reaction (RT-PC R) using Taqman(TM) fluorogenic probes has been used to measure changes in gene expression in the cerebral cortex of rats in the permanent middle cere bral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model of focal ischemia. The mRNA levels of t hree housekeeping genes have been analysed in this model to determine which gene showed least change following experimental insult. In the lesioned co rtex, beta-actin mRNA increased at 24 h, while the levels of cyclophilin an d glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) did not change. We have also used this methodology to examine modulations in the level of caspase-3 mRNA during focal ischemia in the rat. Caspase-3 mRNA showed a 41% increas e at 6 h post-MCAO, which was specific to the lesioned cortex. This change became more pronounced with time, showing an increase of 220% at 24 h. This methodology enables changes in mRNA expression to be analysed more sensiti vely and quantitatively than other available techniques and highlights the need for careful choice of control or housekeeping genes used for RNA compa risons. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.