Quantitative detection of common carp IGF-I mRNA expression by RNase protection assay

Insulin-like growth factor-I interests many investigators because of its importance in mediating most growth effects of growth hormone. To study carp IGF-I expression, we established the quantitative method for detecting mRNA, RNase Protection Assay (RPA). This technique is rapid and requires minimal sample manipulation, allowing the analysis of hundreds of samples simultaneously. From the study on common carp, the hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression was shown highest, 54.45×10-17 mol/μg DNA. In other tissues, low amount of IGF-I mRNA was also expressed.