Gene expression profile of alcoholic liver-injured mice using cDNA microarray

OBJECTIVE To study the gene expression profile of alcohol liver injuried mice and screen the differentially expressed genes that relate to liver injury formation by alcohol on a large scale using cDNA raicroarrays. METHODS The experimental mice were divided into two groups: one was control group and the other was alcohol-administrated group. The mRNA in the livers of the two groups was extracted respectively and reversely transcribed to cDNA with the incorporation of different fluorescent-labeled dUTP (Cy3-dUTP, Cy5-dUTP) as the hybridization probes. The mixed probes were hybridized to the cDNA microarrays. The fluorescent signal values were acquired by scanner and analyzed by statistical software. RESULTS Among the 14 100 target genes, 117 genes were differentially expressed of in which 46 genes were up-regulated and another 71 genes were down-regulated. They were closely related to a range of biological functions. CONCLUSION Using cDNA microarray and experimental animal modeling technique can study the differentially expressed genes of alcoholic liver injury in mouse on a large scale. It is useful for further investigation of the injury molecular mechanism of alcohol.