title: Control selection for RNA quantitation.
abstract: The study of mammalian gene expression is often carried out at the level of mRNA. In such analyses, one usually measures the amount of an mRNA of interest under different conditions such as stress, growth, development, cell and tissue localization or as part of an evaluation of the effects of gene transfection. A variety of techniques exist to measure gene expression and most commonly involve Northern hybridization analysis, ribonuclease protection or RT-PCR. Common to all of these assays is the inclusion of a so-called loading or internal control (i.e., analysis of an mRNA that does not change in relative abundance during the course of treatments). Here, we discuss the uses and pitfalls of the most popular of these controls, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and beta-actin, with special emphasis on precautions associated with the use of GAPDH.
authors.affiliation: Albany Medical College, NY, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008345:Manganese / Q000494:pharmacology; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009928:Organ Specificity; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D012107:Research Design; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D016207:Cytokines; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D006728:Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D014404:Tubulin; D008345:Manganese; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D002117:Calcitriol