Biotech Values

[poorgradstudent]

>One immediate question I have about the results described in the PR: mRNA expression for the protein in question (apoB) was reduced by 90% and the serum level of the protein was reduced by 75% -- why the discrepancy between the 90% and 75% figures?<

It is actually common place to observe the amount of protein decrease by a percentage that is lower than the accompanying mRNA transcript decrease. mRNA transcripts may be used more than once.

This type of disconnect between the mRNA level and protein level is seen very often in preclinical models. Mice that may be heterozygous for a specific gene deletion (so 1 of the 2 gene copies in the genome is lost) will often show levels of protein expression that are on par with mice that have both copies of the gene intact.