Chin Med J (Engl). 2002 Jun; 115(6): 923-7.

Identification of a gene associated with astragalus and angelica's renal protective effects by silver staining mRNA differential display.

Yu L, Lu Y, Li J, Wang H.

Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital, Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genes associated with the chronic progression of renal disease and a stragalus and angelica (A&A)'s renal protective effects. METHODS: The technique of silver staining mRNA differential display (DD) was used to investigate changes of gene expression in normal, sclerotic and A&A treated sclerotic kidneys. We isolated genes differentially expressed during the progression of renal disease which could be normalized by A&A. RESULTS: Several genes related to A&A's protective effects were isolated and one of them was confirmed by Northern blot. CONCLUSION: Silver staining mRNA differential display is a simple and effective technique for isolating differentially expressed genes. The isolated new gene may be related to the progression of chronic renal disease and contribute to A&A's protective effects.