Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 74 (1), 121-123 (1997)


Analysis of Dissociated Single Neurons by Simple and Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription and Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Tsugunobu Andoh (1), Chihiro Tohda (2) and Yasushi Kuraishi (1,*)

(1) Department of Applied Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and (2) Analytical Research Center for Ethnomedicines, Research Institute for Wakan-yaku, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-01, Japan
(*) To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: We have developed a simple and semi-quantitative method for mRNA determination in single cells using the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The distinct features of this method are the highly efficient RNA harvest from whole dissociated cells and the ability to perform all RT procedures in one tube that allowed semi-quantitative determination of mRNA in dissociated cells. This method revealed that histamine H1-receptor mRNA was highly expressed in 5/28 small and 1/26 large dorsal root ganglion neurons of the mouse.

Keywords: Histamine H1-receptor mRNA, Single whole-cell PCR, Primary sensory neuron


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1997

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