Dictionary of Biological Psychology
A technique for examining gene presence and activity in tissue. When a GENE is activated, MESSENGER RNA (mRNA) is produced, and sent to the CYTOPLASM for protein formation (see PROTEINS).
In situ hybridization employs ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES as a probe for gene activity. These oligonucleotides have a sequence complementary to that of the mRNA under investigation and will hybridize with the mRNA. Thin sections of tissue are incubated with the anti-sense oligonucleotide: the amount of oligonucleotide hybridized to the mRNA in the sections is determined by techniques such as AUTORADIOGRAPHY, or IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY. The presence of the hybridization product implies the activity of the gene.
See also: chemical neuroanatomy; histology
FIONA M.INGLIS
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