A solution hybridization assay for the quantitation of prodynorphin mRNA

We have developed a RNA-RNA solution hybridization assay to quantitate the mRNA coding for prodynorphin precursor. This assay is extremely sensitive and highly specific. Using this assay we have measured the prodynorphin mRNA in various brain regions and reproductive tissues of rat. When we compared the distribution of prodynorphin mRNA with the dynorphin related peptides in these tissues, we found a general parallelism and a few noteworthy exceptions.