Analysis of gene expression in genetic epilepsy-prone rat using a cDNA expression array.
Our aim is to search the differential expression genes of genetic epilepsy and establish the groundwork of exploring the pathogenesis of epilepsy on the gene level by using cDNA array technology.


METHODS
Gene expression profiles of the cerebral cortex of genetic epilepsy-prone P77PMC rats and normal Wistar rats were established using the Atlas Rat cDNA Expression Array. The difference between gene expression profiles was analyzed using an image analysis instrument.


RESULTS
Fifteen genes exhibited a differential expression pattern between the P77PMC rats' and Wistar rats' cerebral cortex, while there maybe many other differential expression genes undiscovered due to having no image analysis software. Among them, the levels of expression of 13 genes were elevated in P77PMC rats as compared to their levels in Wistar rats, in contrast, the levels of expression of two genes were decreased in P77PMC rats.


CONCLUSIONS
There were several differential expression genes between P77PMC rats and Wistar rats. All these genes could play important roles in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
Bo
Xiao
X
Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China. yanxia@public.cs.hn.cn
Zhiguo
Wu
W
Xiaosu
Yang
Y
Guoliang
Li
L
Guangjie
Xie
X
D000818:Animals; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012313:RNA