Measuring Transcription of Metalloproteinase Genes: Nuclear Run-Off Assay vs Analysis of hnRNA

Many metalloproteinase genes are transcriptionally regulated by differentiation, growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Nuclear run-off assays and analysis of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) levels are two methods for studying changes in gene transcription. In this chapter these two techniques will be outlined and compared.