title: Genome-wide profiling of G protein-coupled receptors in cerebellar granule neurons using high-throughput, real-time PCR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major players in cell communication, regulate a whole range of physiological functions during development and throughout adult life, are affected in numerous pathological situations, and constitute so far the largest class of drugable targets for human diseases. The corresponding genes are usually expressed at low levels, making accurate, genome-wide quantification of their expression levels a challenging task using microarrays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We first draw an inventory of all endo-GPCRs encoded in the murine genome. To profile GPCRs genome-wide accurately, sensitively, comprehensively, and cost-effectively, we designed and validated a collection of primers that we used in quantitative RT-PCR experiments. We experimentally validated a statistical approach to analyze genome-wide, real-time PCR data. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, we determined the repertoire of GPCRs expressed in cerebellar granule neurons and neuroblasts during postnatal development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified tens of GPCRs that were not detected previously in this cell type; these GPCRs represent novel candidate players in the development and survival of cerebellar granule neurons. The sequences of primers used in this study are freely available to those interested in quantifying GPCR expression comprehensively.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle, 141 rue de la cardonille, F-34094 Montpellier Cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maurel
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Digarcher
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dantec
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Journot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D048429:Cell Size; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled