Analysis of circulating microRNA biomarkers in plasma and serum using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR)

Methods. 2010 Apr;50(4):298-301. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2010.01.032. Epub 2010 Feb 8.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (approximately 22 nt) RNAs that play important roles in gene regulatory networks by binding to and repressing the activity of specific target mRNAs. Recent studies have indicated that miRNAs circulate in a stable, cell-free form in the bloodstream and that the abundance of specific miRNAs in plasma or serum can serve as biomarkers of cancer and other diseases. Measurement of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers is associated with some special challenges, including those related to pre-analytic variation and data normalization. We describe here our procedure for qRT-PCR analysis of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers, and discuss relevant issues of sample preparation, experimental design and data analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Plasma / chemistry
  • Quality Control
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Serum / chemistry

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs