Identification of VEGF Isoforms in Mouse, Rat, and Zebrafish Using RT-qPCR

Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to quantify gene expression is a key molecular technique for the detection of mRNAs due to amplification of transcripts that may be present in low abundance. The technique also permits detection of mRNAs for different isoforms of proteins due to the exquisite specificity of carefully designed primers. Here I describe the detection of mRNAs for VEGF isoforms in mouse, rat and zebrafish. The protocol may be adapted for detection of any mRNAs by designing primers specific to the genes of interest.