The degradation of housekeeping mRNA in dead rats by real-time RT-PCR / 法医学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility of real-time RT-PCR of housekeeping mRNA degradation in dead rats in order to seek new suitable techniques for post-mortem interval (PMI).@*METHODS@#The levels of GAPDH mRNA and beta-actin mRNA in the brain and spleen of the rats were measured at different times after death by the SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR. The relative mRNA level was indicated with the Ct value, then the relationship between the Ct value and PMI were analyzed and the corresponding regression equation was obtained.@*RESULTS@#The Ct values of GAPDH mRNA and beta-actin mRNA by SYBR Green I real time RT-PCR correlated well with the PMI.@*CONCLUSION@#The SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR is a reliable technique for studying mRNA degradation. Adoption of the housekeeping genes eliminates systematical errors of other genes which have individual difference. As an objective and dynamic indication, Ct value has a good correlation with PMI, and could be applied for estimating PMI, especially in late period.