scholarly journals Identification and Evaluation of Reference Genes for Quantitative PCR Normalization in Alligator Weed Flea Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Qiong Guo ◽  
Yongchang Yang ◽  
Yanping Chai ◽  
Ling-Ling Gao ◽  
Ruiyan Ma

Abstract Stably expressed reference genes are critical internal standards for the quantification of gene transcription levels using quantitative real-time PCR. Housekeeping genes are commonly used as reference genes but their expressions were variable depending on experimental conditions in many insect species studied. Here we report the identification and evaluation of 10 housekeeping genes in alligator weed flea beetle, Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of alligator weed. The 10 housekeeping genes are: beta-actin (Actin), ribosomal protein L13A (PRL13a), succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA), ribosomal protein S20 (RPS20), ribosomal protein S13 (RPS13), glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), TATA-box-binding protein (TBP), ribosomal protein L32 (RPL32), tubulin alpha-1 chain (TUBULIN), and elongation factor-1 alpha (ELF). Five programs, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCt method, and RefFinder, were used to evaluate the expression stability of the 10 genes among various A. hygrophila body parts and with different nutrient types (starvation, diet types). The expression stability analysis showed that RPS32 and RPL13a were reliable reference genes for the study of gene transcription in different body parts; Actin and RPL13a were optimal reference genes for different nutrient types. The selections of reference genes were validated using a CarE gene (GeneBank No: KX353552). The results of this study provide useful bases for studies of gene expression in various aspects relating to A. hygrophila.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Fu ◽  
Tubiao Huang ◽  
Cheng Yin ◽  
Zhenhua Xu ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
...  

Bradysia odoriphaga (Diptera: Sciaridae) is the most serious root maggot pest which causes substantial damage to the Chinese chive. Organophosphate (OP) and neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used chemical pesticides and play important roles in controlling B. odoriphaga. However, a strong selection pressure following repeated pesticide applications has led to the development of resistant populations of this insect. To understand the insecticide resistance mechanism in B. odoriphaga, gene expression analysis might be required. Appropriate reference gene selection is a critical prerequisite for gene expression studies, as the expression stability of reference genes can be affected by experimental conditions, resulting in biased or erroneous results. The present study shows the expression profile of nine commonly used reference genes [elongation factor 1α (EF-1α), actin2 (ACT), elongation factor 2α (EF-2α), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), ribosomal protein L10 (RPL10), ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC), and α-tubulin (TUB)] was systematically analyzed under insecticide stress. Moreover, we also evaluated their expression stability in other experimental conditions, including developmental stages, sexes, and tissues. Five programs (NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, RefFinder, and ΔCt) were used to validate the suitability of candidate reference genes. The results revealed that the most appropriate sets of reference genes were RPL10 and ACT across phoxim; ACT and TUB across chlorpyrifos and chlorfluazuron; EF1α and TUB across imidacloprid; EF1α and EF2α across developmental stages; RPL10 and TUB across larvae; EF1α and ACT across tissues, and ACT and G6PDH across sex. These results will facilitate the standardization of RT-qPCR and contribute to further research on B. odoriphaga gene function under insecticides stress.


Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Yu Bai ◽  
Ya-Nan Lv ◽  
Mei Zeng ◽  
Pei-Yao Jia ◽  
Hu-Na Lu ◽  
...  

Zygentoma occupies a key evolutionary position for understanding the evolution of insect metamorphosis but has received little attention in terms of genetic analysis. To develop functional genomic studies in this insect, we evaluated five candidate internal reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) studies from Thermobia domestica, a representative species of Zygentoma, including Actin 5C (Actin5C), Elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1A), Ribosome protein S26 (RPS26), Ribosome protein L32 (RPL32), and Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), at different developmental stages, in various body parts, and under dsRNA microinjection and starvation stresses, using four algorithms (delta Ct, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper) and a comparative algorithm (RefFinder). Specific suitable reference genes were recommended across specific experimental conditions, and the combination of RPS26 and RPL32 was appropriate for all tested samples. Employing our selected reference gene combination, we investigated the gene expression pattern of Myoglianin (Myo), a crucial gene-regulating insect metamorphosis, in ametabolous T. domestica, and demonstrated the efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi) in firebrat nymphs. This study provides a basis for reliable quantitative studies of genes and greatly benefits evolutionary and functional genomics studies in Zygentoma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 2207-2214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Tian ◽  
Lin Qiu ◽  
Ailin Zhou ◽  
Guo Chen ◽  
Hualiang He ◽  
...  

Abstract Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become an invaluable technique for analyzing gene expression in many insects. However, this approach requires the use of stable reference genes to normalize the data. Chlorops oryzae causes significant economic damage to rice crops throughout Asia. The lack of suitable reference genes has hindered research on the molecular mechanisms underlying many physiological processes of this species. In this study, we used quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of eight C. oryzae housekeeping genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), β-actin (βACT), beta-tubulin (βTUB), Delta Elongation factor-1 (EF1δ), ribosomal protein S11 (RPS11), RPS15, C-terminal-Binding Protein (CtBP), and ribosomal protein 49 (RP49) in different developmental stages and tissues in both larvae and adults. We analyzed the data with four different software packages: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder and compared the results obtained with each method. The results indicate that PRS15 and RP49 can be used as stable reference genes for quantifying gene expression in different developmental stages and larval tissues. GAPDH and βACT, which have been considered stable reference genes by previous studies, were the least stable of the candidate genes with respect to larval tissues. GAPDH was, however, the most stable reference gene for adult tissues. We verified the candidate reference genes identified and found that the expression levels of Cadherins (Cads) changed when different reference genes were used to normalize gene expression. This study provides a valuable foundation for future research on gene function, and investigating the molecular basis of physiological processes, in C. oryzae.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Luo ◽  
Gangzheng Wang ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Yuhua Gong ◽  
Yinbing Bian ◽  
...  

Lentinula edodes is the most consumed mushroom in Asia due to its nutritional and medicinal values, and the optimal reference gene is crucial for normalization of its gene expression analysis. Here, the expression stability of 18 candidate reference genes (CRGs) in L. edodes was analyzed by three statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper) under different stresses (heat, cadmium excess and Trichoderma atroviride infection), different substrates (straw, sawdust and corn stalk) and different development stages (mycelia, primordia and fruit bodies). Among the 18 CRGs, 28S, Actin and α-tub exhibited the highest expression stability in L. edodes under all conditions, while GPD, SPRYP and MSF showed the least stable expression. The best reference gene in different conditions was different. The pairwise variation values showed that two genes would be sufficient for accurate normalization under different conditions of L. edodes. This study will contribute to more accurate estimation of the gene relative expression levels under different conditions using the optimal reference gene in qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Przemysław Wieczorek ◽  
Patryk Frąckowiak ◽  
Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska

Abstract Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), which unquestionably play an economically important role in pollination and agricultural production, are at risk of decline. To study changes in gene expression in insects upon exposure to pesticides or other external stimuli, appropriate reference genes are required for data normalization. Since there is no such gene that is absolutely invariable under all experimental conditions, the aim of this study was to identify the most stable targets suitable for subsequent normalization in quantitative experiments based on real-time polymerase chain reaction in honeybee research. Here, we evaluated the expression of fifteen candidate housekeeping genes from three breeding lines of honeybees treated with pyrethroids to identify the most stable genes. The tested insects were exposed to deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin, and then, changes in the accumulation of selected transcripts were assessed, followed by statistical analyses. We concluded that AmRPL32, AmACT and AmRPL13a were the commonly recorded most stable genes in honeybees treated with the selected pyrethroids.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Huirong Duan ◽  
Peifang Chong ◽  
Shiping Su ◽  
Lishan Shan ◽  
...  

Abstract Suitable reference genes can be used to calibrate the error in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments, making the results more credible. However, there are no reference genes suitable for multiple species and under different experimental conditions. Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. is a typical plant native to desert areas. It is drought-resistant, saline-alkali resistant, extreme temperatures-resistant, and has strong adaptability. To date, the importance of this germplasm has not been sufficiently understood; therefore, it is still unclear which genes can be used as reference genes to calibrate qPCR data of N. tangutorum. In this study we analyzed the expression levels of 10 candidate reference genes (ACT, GAPDH, TUA, TUB, CYP, UBC, His, PP2A, HSP, and EF1-α) in N. tangutorum seedlings under a series of experimental conditions, including in different organs (root, stem, and leaf) and under abiotic stresses (salt, drought, heat, and cold) and hormone stimuli (abscisic acid) by qPCR. Three software programs (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were used to evaluate the expression stability of the ten genes. Comprehensive analysis showed that EF1-α and His had the best expression stability, whereas HSP was the least suitable as a reference gene. The expression profile of NtCER7, a gene related to the regulation of cuticular wax biosynthesis in N. tangutorum, verified the accuracy of the experimental results. Based on this study, we recommend EF1-α and His as suitable reference genes for N. tangutorum. This paper provides the first data on stable reference genes in N. tangutorum, which will be beneficial to studying the gene expression of N. tangutorum and other Nitraria species in the future.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoli Tang ◽  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
Chuyang Shao ◽  
Hongbo Shao

Kosteletzkya virginica(L.) is a newly introduced perennial halophytic plant. Presently, reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is regarded as the best choice for analyzing gene expression and its accuracy mainly depends on the reference genes which are used for gene expression normalization. In this study, we employed qPCR to select the most stable reference gene inK. virginicawhich showed stable expression profiles under our experimental conditions. The candidate reference genes were 18S ribosomal RNA (18SrRNA),β-actin (ACT),α-tubulin (TUA), and elongation factor (EF). We tracked the gene expression profiles of the candidate genes and analyzed their stabilities through BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder software programs. The results of the three programs were identical and18SrRNAwas assessed to be the most stable reference gene in this study. However,TUAwas identified to be the most unstable. Our study proved again that the traditional reference genes indeed displayed a certain degree of variations under given experimental conditions. Importantly, our research also provides guidance for selecting most suitable reference genes and lays the foundation for further studies inK. virginica.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Lirong WANG ◽  
Huirong Duan ◽  
Peifang Chong ◽  
Shiping Su ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Suitable reference genes can be used to calibrate the error in quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments and make the results more credible. However, reference genes suitable for different species and different experimental conditions do not exist. Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. is a typical plant in desert areas and desert plains, which is drought-resistant, saline-alkali resistant, barren-resistant, and has extremely strong adaptability. Due to insufficient understanding of the importance of this germplasm in the past, it is still unclear which genes can be used as reference genes to calibrate qRT-PCR data of N. tangutorum .Results: In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of 10 candidate reference genes (ACT, GAPDH, TUA, TUB, CYP, UBC, His, PP2A, HSP, and EF1-α) in three tissues (root, stem and leaf) and under five abiotic stresses (salt, drought, heat, cold, and ABA) of N. tangutorum seedlings by qRT-PCR. Three analysis software programs (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) were used to evaluate expression stability of ten genes. Comprehensive analysis showed that EF1-α and His had the best expression stability, whereas HSP was the least suitable as a reference gene. The expression profile of NtCER7, a gene related to the regulation of the waxy synthesis of N. tangutorum, verified the accuracy of the experimental results.Conclusion: Based on this study, we recommend EF1-α and His as suitable reference genes for N. tangutorum. This study provides the first data on stable reference genes in N. tangutorum, which will be beneficial to study of the gene expression of N. tangutorum and other Nitraria species in the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Verbrugghe ◽  
An Martel ◽  
Frank Pasmans

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction is a widely used technique that relies on reference genes for the normalisation of gene expression. These reference genes are constitutively expressed and must remain stable across all samples and treatments. Stability of housekeeping genes may vary and must be optimised for a specific tissue, sample or cell line. Here we present a study screening for possible reference gene candidates, eef1a1, rpl8, sub1.L, clta, H4 and odc1, in the Xenopus laevis (A6) kidney cell line. Quantification cycle results were analysed using geNorm to calculate the average expression stability and the coefficient of variation (CV) for each candidate reference gene. All of the tested genes met the guidelines for stable reference genes, namely an average expression stability of < 0.5 and a CV value of < 0.2, with eef1a1 > sub1.L > rpl8 > clta > odc1 > H4. By using pairwise variation analysis, the optimal number of reference targets was determined to be 2. As such, we report that the reference genes eef1a1 and sub1.L should be used to achieve optimal normalisation in A6 cells.


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Liu ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Liuyang Lu ◽  
Lanfen Xie ◽  
Xiling Chen ◽  
...  

Eight commonly used candidate reference genes, 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) (18S), 28S rRNA (28S), actin (ACT), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α), ribosomal protein L7 (RPL7), Alpha-tubulin (α-TUB), and TATA box binding protein-associated factor (TBP), were evaluated under various experimental conditions to assess their suitability in different developmental stages, tissues and herbicide treatments in Avena fatua. The results indicated the most suitable reference genes for the different experimental conditions. For developmental stages, 28S and EF1α were the optimal reference genes, both EF1α and 28S were suitable for experiments of different tissues, whereas for herbicide treatments, GAPDH and ACT were suitable for normalizations of expression data. In addition, GAPDH and EF1α were the suitable reference genes.


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