Relative mRNA expression of the lactate dehydrogenase A and B subunits as determined by simultaneous amplification and single strand conformation polymorphism: Relation with subunit enzyme activity

To explore if it is correlated in human tumor cells that the expression of LDH homologous gene and LDH isoenzymes, we used RT-PCR-SSCP technique to measure the relative expression of genes with homologous sequences. The combination of PCR using common primers designed in the highly conserved regions and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the products is used for quantitative determination of the proportions of LDH-A mRNA in human cancer cell lines. The proportion is compared with that of the activities of isoenzymes. The results indicated that the enzyme activity of LDH-A was consistent with mRNA levels in the human tumor cell. The present procedure using a single pair of primers for two fragments can overcome disadvantages in quantitative analysis using multiplex PCR. Template concentrations and PCR cycles did not affect the proportions of LDH-A and LDH-B in the product.