Difference between RNase Protention and RT-PCR - (Feb/22/2001 )

I want to extract total RNA from rat's brain. Then I will analysis some gene's expression. I know I can use RNase Protection Assay and RT-PCR to do it, but I don't know what's the difference between them and how to choose one from them? Could you help me? Thank you very much!

If quantitation is required, RPA is better than RT-PCR, since the latter can hardly give you quantative data of your gene expression. For quantative RPA, one thing is important that the probe must be present in molar excess over the target mRNA.