The relative importance of premortem acidosis and postmortem interval for human brain gene expression studies: selective mRNA vulnerability and comparison with their encoded proteins.

Author(s): Harrison PJ, Heath PR, Eastwood SL, Burnet PW, McDonald B, Pearson RC

Publication: Neurosci Lett, 1995, Vol. 200, Page 151

PubMed ID: 9064599 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the influence of postmortem interval and pH on the levels of brain mRNA and protein. The mRNAs measured include polyA, cyclophilin, synaptophysin, GAP-43, GluR1, GluR2, 5-HT1AR, 5-HT2AR, G protein (Gs alpha).

   Summary of Findings:

   Brain pH was negatively correlated to age at death and agonal state, although no clear relationship was observed between pH and PMI (up to 92 h). mRNA levels, in general, were lower with low tissue pH and long PMI. The levels of proteins corresponding to the genes of interest were only related to age at death, with reduced levels observed with advanced age, although effects were protein-specific. The authors conclude that brain pH is a significant factor to consider when evaluating postmortem mRNA, and that the influence of pH on each mRNA species must be evaluated to determine whether it causes an increase, decrease, or no change.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Brain

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Autopsy

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   RNA	In situ hybridization
   Protein	Receptor binding
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Postmortem interval	12 - 92 hours
   Preaquisition	Patient age	20 - 83 years
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	pH	5.70 - 7.02

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