In situ hybridization using single-stranded antisense RNA probes in oral pathology research.

In situ hybridization is a new molecular biological technique which has made it possible to demonstrate messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription of a specific gene in tissue sections and in cell preparations. In addition to the immunocytochemical methods widely used to locate gene products, e.g. a protein, nucleic acid hybridization techniques are having growing impact in pathological research. Increasing availability of cloned nucleotide sequences of human genes and the recent development of very sensitive and specific hybridization methods is rapidly expanding the field of gene function studies in cell and tumour biology. As with immunocytochemical techniques, hybridization techniques require proper controls for specificity. A basic knowledge of molecular biology is essential to determine the optimal conditions for successful hybridization and to interpret the results correctly.