TABLE 1

Stage-specific analysis of mRNA expression for developmentally regulated thymocyte genes demonstrates transcriptional purity of the cell sorting and confirms selected microarray data

Thymocyte progenitors were sorted into individual TN1–TN4 sub-populations, RNA extracted and purified and RT²-PCR performed using primers specific for developmentally regulated transcripts within early thymocyte progenitor populations. Relative fold difference was determined by dividing the expression levels of the gene from the enriched or deficient population (listed in the left column) by the expression level of the same gene in the population shown in the top column. Genes selected for RT²-PCR analysis were: CD44, CD8α, and Ptcra (Pre-TCRα).