Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (TaqMan PCR) of TG and GAPDH mRNAs using an ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System and a TaqMan PCR Core Reagent Kit (PE Biosystems, Foster City, CA) was performed as previously described (Takano et al, 1999) . The primers used for amplification of TG cDNA were changed to the same set of primers used in the report by Tallini et al. The probe for TG cDNA used for the TaqMan PCR was: (5′-FAM-CACTTCGAGTTCCAGGAATGGCCTGACCCT-TAMRA-3′).