7/21/2017 What is the correct format for gene and protein symbols?

For example, does VEGF (in italics) indicate VEGF mRNA or VEGF protein? | Science Edit

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What is the correct format for gene and protein symbols? For
example, does VEGF (in italics) indicate the mRNA or protein?

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answer will be provided below the question in the blog post. So heres the next question

2nd Nov 2011

What is the correct format for gene and protein symbols? For example, does VEGF (in italics)
indicate the mRNA or protein?

Three-dimensional model of the whole dodecameric enzyme Calcium/calmodulin kinase II.

Photo credit: Lenov on Wikipedia Commons

Answer: Gene and mRNA symbols should be written in italics (eg, VEGF ), and protein

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7/21/2017 What is the correct format for gene and protein symbols? For example, does VEGF (in italics) indicate VEGF mRNA or VEGF protein? | Science Edit

symbols should be written in standard text (eg, VEGF).

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee are responsible for assigning unique names and
symbols for each gene. According to their recommendations and the American Medical
Association Manual of Style, gene and mRNA symbols should be indicated in italics, and
protein symbols should be written in normal text. The full name of each gene should be
de ned in normal text at the rst mention of each symbol. Heres an example:

In this study we examined the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in
xenograft tumour tissues. VEGF mRNA was quanti ed using real-time PCR and VEGF
protein expression was determined using an ELISA.

Using italics for genes and mRNAs and normal text for proteins helps your reader know if you
are talking about the gene, mRNA or protein. Additionally, when the italic /non-italic rule is used
correctly, you do not need to write gene, mRNA or protein after each symbol, which can be very
useful if you are writing an abstract with a strict word limit. For example:

EPO, GH1 and TNF mRNA expression were analysed using RT-PCR. VEGF, TGFB1 and P53
protein expression were examined using immunohistochemistry.

which could also be written as:

EPO, GH1 and TNF expression were analysed using RT-PCR. VEGF, TGFB1 and P53
expression were examined using immunohistochemistry.

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