title: Semi-quantitative PCR: a tool to study low abundance messages in the kidney.
abstract: Some specific functions are often localized to unique cellular types or structures in organs such as kidney, brain, blood, and endocrine glands. As a result, it is not uncommon that gene products, although heavily expressed in some cell types within these organs, ultimately appear as low abundance products when total RNA is probed, resulting in decreased power of the conventional Northern blot analysis. To study gene expression in these circumstances, more sensitive techniques like RNAse protection assay and quantitative or semi-quantitative PCR strategies have been developed. In the present study, we provide a detailed description of the semi-quantitative PCR strategy in our laboratory. Using specific primers to amplify fragments from the neuronal isoform of the nitric oxide synthase and the thiazide-sensitive Na+:Cl- cotransporter (low abundance messages in the kidney), we show that the semi-quantitative PCR strategy is a valuable tool when low abundance messages are to be studied.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nefrología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, México, D.F.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bobadilla
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gamba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D049992:Sodium Chloride Symporters; D027981:Symporters
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D049992:Sodium Chloride Symporters; D027981:Symporters; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase