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AIM: To investigate the expression of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and GRP-receptor mRNA in non-tumor tissues of the human esophagus, gastrointestinal tract,pancreas and gallbladder using molecular biology techniques.METHODS: Poly A+ mRNA was isolated from total RNA extracts using an automated nucleic acid extractor and,subsequently, converted into single-stranded cDNA (sscDNA). PCR amplifications were carried out using genespecific GRP and GRP-receptor primers. The specificity of the PCR amplicons was further confirmed by South blot analyses using gene-specific GRP and GRP-receptor hybridization probes.RESULTS: Expression of GRP and GRP-receptor mRNA was detected at various levels in nearly all segments of the non-tumor specimens analysed, except the gallbladder. In most of the biopsy specimens, coexpression of both GRP and GRP-receptor mRNA appeared to take place. However, expression of GRP mRNA was more prominent than was GRP-receptor mRNA.CONCLUSION: GRP and GRP-receptor mRNAs are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and provides information for the future mapping and determination of its physiological importance in normal and tumor cells.