In humans, congenital heart disease is a common birth defect that affects approximately 1 out of 125 live births. Using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) Samir Zaidi and colleagues [(2013) Nature 498:220.223] determined that approximately 10 percent of the cases resulted from point mutations, often involving histone function. To capture products of gene expression in developing hearts, they used oligo(dT) in their reverse transcription protocol.

Compared with oligo(dT) primers, a pool of random sequence primers requires a trickier assessment of annealing temperature. Why?

Key Concepts

Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR)

RT-PCR is a laboratory technique used to convert RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This process allows researchers to amplify specific RNA sequences, making it easier to study gene expression. In the context of congenital heart disease, RT-PCR can help identify mutations affecting gene function, which may contribute to the condition.

Oligo(dT) Primers vs. Random Sequence Primers

Oligo(dT) primers are short sequences of thymidine that specifically bind to the poly-A tail of mRNA, allowing for the selective amplification of mRNA transcripts. In contrast, random sequence primers bind to various RNA sequences, making their annealing less predictable. This variability in binding can complicate the assessment of optimal annealing temperatures, as the melting temperature will differ based on the specific sequences present.

Annealing Temperature in PCR

The annealing temperature in PCR is the temperature at which primers bind to their complementary DNA sequences. It is crucial for the specificity and efficiency of the amplification process. For oligo(dT) primers, the annealing temperature can be more easily determined due to their uniformity, while random primers require careful optimization because their binding sites can vary widely, leading to a broader range of melting temperatures.