Reference Gene Selection for qRT-PCR Analyses of Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) Plants Under Abiotic Stress Conditions

Abstract Background: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is one of the preferred methods for analyzing gene expression, and selecting suitable internal reference genes is an important prerequisite for the application of this technology. However, no systematic studies have been conducted on reference genes in luffa, resulting in limited investigations of luffa gene expression. Results: In this study, seven reference genes ( ACT , TUA , TUB , EF-1α , GAPDH , UBQ , and 18S ) were selected, and their expression levels in luffa plants exposed to various simulated abiotic stresses [i.e., cold, drought, heat, salt, H 2 O 2 , and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments] were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The stability of the reference gene expression levels was validated using the geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder algorithms. The results indicated that EF-1α was the most stably expressed and suitable reference gene overall and for the heat, cold, and ABA treatments. Additionally, UBQ expression was stable following the salt treatment, whereas TUB was identified as a suitable reference gene for H 2 O 2 and drought treatments. In contrast, GAPDH was revealed as an unsuitable reference gene overall and for the heat, salt, H 2 O 2 , ABA, and drought treatments. Regarding the cold treatment, TUA was identified as an unsuitable reference gene. The reliability of the selected reference genes was verified by analyzing the expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase ( Cu/Zn-SOD ) gene in luffa. When the most unstable reference genes were used for data normalizations, the resulting expression patterns had obvious biases when compared with the expression patterns for the most ideal reference genes used alone or combined. Conclusions: The study data were used to compile a list of suitable reference genes for qRT-PCR analyses of the gene expression in luffa plants exposed to abiotic stresses. This work may provide the basis for future qRT-PCR-based investigations of the transcription of important functional genes in luffa.

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Reference gene selection for qRT-PCR analyses of luffa (Luffa cylindrica) plants under abiotic stress conditions

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81524-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Min-dong Chen ◽

Bin Wang ◽

Yong-ping Li ◽

Mei-juan Zeng ◽

Jian-ting Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Gene Selection ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Suitable Reference ◽

Gene Expression Levels

AbstractSelecting suitable internal reference genes is an important prerequisite for the application of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). However, no systematic studies have been conducted on reference genes in luffa. In this study, seven reference genes were selected, and their expression levels in luffa plants exposed to various simulated abiotic stresses [i.e., cold, drought, heat, salt, H2O2, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments] were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The stability of the reference gene expression levels was validated using the geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder algorithms. The results indicated that EF-1α was the most stably expressed and suitable reference gene overall and for the heat, cold, and ABA treatments. Additionally, UBQ expression was stable following the salt treatment, whereas TUB was identified as a suitable reference gene for H2O2 and drought treatments. The reliability of the selected reference genes was verified by analyzing the expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) gene in luffa. When the most unstable reference genes were used for data normalizations, the resulting expression patterns had obvious biases when compared with the expression patterns for the most ideal reference genes used alone or combined. These results will be conducive to more accurate quantification of gene expression levels in luffa.

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Transcriptome-wide identification and validation of reference genes of Black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) for quantitative RT-PCR

10.21203/rs.3.rs-17096/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chaofan Jin ◽

Weihao Song ◽

Mengya Wang ◽

Jie Qi ◽

Quanqi Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Black Rockfish ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Sebastes Schlegelii ◽

Suitable Reference

Abstract Background: The quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used technique that relies on the reference gene for gene expression normalization. Selecting a suitable reference gene is a crucial step to obtain an accurate result in qRT-PCR. However, most previous studies of fishes adopted reference genes that were commonly used in mammals without validation. Results: In this study, we utilized 89 transcriptome datasets covering early developmental stages and adult tissues, and carried out transcriptome-wide identification and validation of reference genes in Sebastes schlegelii. Finally, 121 candidate reference genes were identified based on four criteria. Eight candidates (METAP2, BTF3L4, EIF5A1, TCTP, UBC, PAIRB, RAB10, and DLD) and four commonly used reference genes (TUBA, ACTB, GAPDH, RPL17) in mammals were selected for validation via qRT- PCR and four statistical methods (delta-Ct, BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder). The results revealed that the candidate reference genes we recommended are more stable than traditionally used ones. Conclusions: This is the first study to conduct transcriptome-wide identification and validation of reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR in the black rockfish, and lay an important foundation for gene expression analysis in teleost.

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Identification and selection of reference genes for gene expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR in Suaeda glauca’s response to salinity

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88151-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Meng Wang ◽

Tingting Ren ◽

Prince Marowa ◽

Haina Du ◽

Zongchang Xu

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Real Time ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Normalize Gene Expression ◽

Suaeda Glauca ◽

Suitable Reference ◽

Germinating Seeds ◽

Different Tissues

AbstractQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using a stable reference gene is widely used for gene expression research. Suaeda glauca L. is a succulent halophyte and medicinal plant that is extensively used for phytoremediation and extraction of medicinal compounds. It thrives under high-salt conditions, which promote the accumulation of high-value secondary metabolites. However, a suitable reference gene has not been identified for gene expression standardization in S. glauca under saline conditions. Here, 10 candidate reference genes, ACT7, ACT11, CCD1, TUA5, UPL1, PP2A, DREB1D, V-H+-ATPase, MPK6, and PHT4;5, were selected from S. glauca transcriptome data. Five statistical algorithms (ΔCq, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) were applied to determine the expression stabilities of these genes in 72 samples at different salt concentrations in different tissues. PP2A and TUA5 were the most stable reference genes in different tissues and salt treatments, whereas DREB1D was the least stable. The two reference genes were sufficient to normalize gene expression across all sample sets. The suitability of identified reference genes was validated with MYB and AP2 in germinating seeds of S. glauca exposed to different NaCl concentrations. Our study provides a foundational framework for standardizing qPCR analyses, enabling accurate gene expression profiling in S. glauca.

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Identification of the most suitable reference gene for gene expression studies with development and abiotic stress response in Bromus sterilis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-92780-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Madhab Kumar Sen ◽

Kateřina Hamouzová ◽

Pavlina Košnarová ◽

Amit Roy ◽

Josef Soukup

Keyword(s):

Reference Gene ◽

Herbicide Resistance ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Gene Selection ◽

High Yield ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Grass Species ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Suitable Reference

AbstractBromus sterilis is an annual weedy grass, causing high yield losses in winter cereals. Frequent use of herbicides had led to the evolution of herbicide resistance in this species. Mechanisms underlying herbicide resistance in B. sterilis must be uncovered because this problem is becoming a global threat. qRT-PCR and the next-generation sequencing technologies can elucidate the resistance mechanisms. Although qRT-PCR can calculate precise fold changes, its preciseness depends on the expression of reference genes. Regardless of stable expression in any given condition, no gene can act as a universal reference gene. Hence, it is necessary to identify the suitable reference gene for each species. To our knowledge, there are no reports on the suitable reference gene in any brome species so far. Thus, in this paper, the stability of eight genes was evaluated using qRT-PCR experiments followed by expression stability ranking via five most commonly used software for reference gene selection. Our findings suggest using a combination of 18S rRNA and ACCase to normalise the qRT-PCR data in B. sterilis. Besides, reference genes are also recommended for different experimental conditions. The present study outcomes will facilitate future molecular work in B. sterilis and other related grass species.

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Selection and Stability Validation of Reference Gene Candidates for Transcriptional Analysis in Rousettus Aegyptiacus

10.21203/rs.3.rs-604945/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Virginia Friedrichs ◽

Anne Balkema-Buschmann ◽

Anca Dorhoi ◽

Gang Pei

Keyword(s):

Body Temperature ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Transcriptional Analysis ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Type I ◽

Expression Stability ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Suitable Reference

Abstract Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight and their body temperature can reach up to 42°C during flight. Additionally, bats display robust type I IFN interferon (IFN-I) responses and some species constitutively express IFN-α. Reference genes with stable expression under temperature oscillations and IFN-I release are therefore critical for normalization of quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data in bats. The expression stability of reference genes in Rousettus aegyptiacus remains elusive, although this species is frequently used in the infection research. We selected ACTB, EEF1A1, GAPDH and PGK1 as candidate reference genes and evaluated their expression stability in various tissues and cells from this model bat species upon IFN-I treatment at 37°C and 40°C by qRT-PCR. We employed two statistical algorithms, BestKeeper and NormFinder, and found that EEF1A1 exhibited the highest stability under all tested conditions. ACTB and GAPDH displayed unstable expression at 40°C and upon IFN-I treatment, respectively. By normalizing to EEF1A1, we uncovered that GAPDH expression was significantly induced by IFN‑I in R. aegyptiacus. Our study identifies EEF1A1 as the most suitable reference gene for qRT-PCR studies and unveils the induction of GAPDH expression by IFN-I in R. aegyptiacus. These findings are pertinent to other bat species and even bear relevance for non-volant mammals that show physiological fluctuations of core body temperature.

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Identification of suitable reference genes of Scylla paramamosain for gene expression profiling in various tissues and under vibrio challenge

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003823 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (10) ◽

pp. 1195-1210 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yabo Fang ◽

Le Diao ◽

Fengying Zhang ◽

Lingbo Ma ◽

Mengdi Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

18S Rrna ◽

Elongation Factor ◽

Scylla Paramamosain ◽

Mud Crab ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Elongation Factor 1

Abstract The quantitative real-time transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is now used widely in studies about mRNA expression levels. The selection of one or more stable reference gene(s) used for data normalization is substantial. In this study, expression levels of eleven candidate reference genes (β-actin, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, α-I tubulin, GAPDH, ribosomal protein L13, elongation factor 1 α, elongation factor 2, arginine kinase and ubiquitin) were examined using the GenomeLab GeXP analysis system (Beckman Coulter). Gene expression data were analysed using two different statistical models: geNorm and NormFinder. (1) In six different tissues (hepatopancreas, haemocytes, heart, gill, muscle, and testis) from the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain, 18S rRNA and elongation factor 1 α were identified as the two best reference genes. (2) In the haemocytes after being challenged by Vibro parahaemolyticus, the result suggested that ubiquitin was the most stable gene after the treatment. 18S rRNA, elongation factor 1 α and ubiquitin are herein recommended as the best combination. These results provide useful options for reference gene selection under different experimental conditions in qRT-PCR studies in the mud crab.

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Quantitative Evaluation and Selection of Reference Genes for Quantitative RT-PCR in Mouse Acute Pancreatitis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/8367063 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Zhaoping Yan ◽

Jinhang Gao ◽

Xiuhe Lv ◽

Wenjuan Yang ◽

Shilei Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Expression Stability ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Comprehensive Method ◽

Suitable Combination ◽

Suitable Reference

The analysis of differences in gene expression is dependent on normalization using reference genes. However, the expression of many of these reference genes, as evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR, is upregulated in acute pancreatitis, so they cannot be used as the standard for gene expression in this condition. For this reason, we sought to identify a stable reference gene, or a suitable combination, for expression analysis in acute pancreatitis. The expression stability of 10 reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, 18sRNA, TUBB, B2M, HPRT1, UBC, YWHAZ, EF-1α, and RPL-13A) was analyzed using geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper software and evaluated according to variations in the raw Ct values. These reference genes were evaluated using a comprehensive method, which ranked the expression stability of these genes as follows (from most stable to least stable): RPL-13A, YWHAZ > HPRT1 > GAPDH > UBC > EF-1α> 18sRNA > B2M > TUBB > ACTB. RPL-13A was the most suitable reference gene, and the combination of RPL-13A and YWHAZ was the most stable group of reference genes in our experiments. The expression levels of ACTB, TUBB, and B2M were found to be significantly upregulated during acute pancreatitis, whereas the expression level of 18sRNA was downregulated. Thus, we recommend the use of RPL-13A or a combination of RPL-13A and YWHAZ for normalization in qRT-PCR analyses of gene expression in mouse models of acute pancreatitis.

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Identification of stable reference genes for lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage gene expression studies

Biology Methods and Protocols ◽

10.1093/biomethods/bpw005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Roshini Kalagara ◽

Weimin Gao ◽

Honor L. Glenn ◽

Colleen Ziegler ◽

Laura Belmont ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Ribosomal Protein ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Target Genes ◽

Stable Gene ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Expression Studies ◽

Gene Expression Studies

Gene expression studies which utilize lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages to model immune signaling are widely used for elucidating the mechanisms of inflammation-related disease. When expression levels of target genes are quantified using Real-Time quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), they are analyzed in comparison to reference genes, which should have stable expression. Judicious selection of reference genes is, therefore, critical to interpretation of qRT-PCR results. Ideal reference genes must be identified for each experimental system and demonstrated to remain constant under the experimental conditions. In this study, we evaluated the stability of eight common reference genes: Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), Cyclophilin A/Peptidylprolyl isomerase A, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase (GAPDH), Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase 1, Large Ribosomal Protein P0, TATA box binding protein, Ubiquitin C (UBC), and Ribosomal protein L13A. Expression stability of each gene was tested under different conditions of LPS stimulation and compared to untreated controls. Reference gene stabilities were analyzed using Ct value comparison, NormFinder, and geNorm. We found that UBC, closely followed by B2M, is the most stable gene, while the commonly used reference gene GAPDH is the least stable. Thus, for improved accuracy in evaluating gene expression levels, we propose the use of UBC to normalize PCR data from LPS-stimulated macrophages.

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Selection and validation reference genes for qRT-PCR normalization in different cultivars during fruit ripening and softening of peach (Prunus persica)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86755-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shuanghong You ◽

Ke Cao ◽

Changwen Chen ◽

Yong Li ◽

Jinlong Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Gene ◽

Fruit Ripening ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Prunus Persica ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Regulatory Mechanisms ◽

Suitable Reference Gene ◽

Future Research ◽

Qrt Pcr

AbstractQuantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) has been emerged as an effective method to explore the gene function and regulatory mechanisms. However, selecting appropriate reference gene (s) is a prerequisite for obtaining accurate qRT-PCR results. Peach is one of important fruit in Rosaceae and is widely cultivated worldwide. In this study, to explore reliable reference gene (s) in peach with different types during fruit ripening and softening (S1–S4), nine candidate reference genes (EF-1α, GAPDH, TBP, UBC, eIF-4α, TUB-A, TUB-B, ACTIN, and HIS) were selected from the whole-genome data. Then, the expression levels of the nine selected genes were detected using qRT-PCR in three peach types, including ‘Hakuho’ (melting type), ‘Xiacui’ (stony hard type), ‘Fantasia’ and ‘NJC108’ (non-melting type) cultivars were detected using qRT-PCR. Four software (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder) were applied to evaluate the expression stability of these candidate reference genes. Gene expression was characterized in different peach types during fruit ripening and softening stages. The overall performance of each candidate in all samples was evaluated. The Actin gene (ACTIN) was a suitable reference gene and displayed excellent stability in ‘Total’ set, ‘Hakuho’ samples, S3 and S4 fruit developmental stages. Ubiquitin C gene (UBC) showed the best stability in most independent samples, including ‘Fantasia’, ‘NJC108’, S2 sets. Elongation factor-1α gene (EF-1α) was the most unstable gene across the set of all samples, ‘NJC108’ and S2 sets, while showed the highest stability in ‘Xiacui’ samples. The stability of candidate reference genes was further verified by analyzing the relative expression level of ethylene synthase gene of Prunus persica (PpACS1) in fruit ripening and softening periods of ‘Hakuho’. Taken together, the results from this study provide a basis for future research on the mining of important functional genes, expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms in peach.

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Identification of candidate reference genes for qRT-PCR normalization studies of salinity stress and injury in Onchidium reevesii

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6834 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e6834

Author(s):

Teizhu Yang ◽

Bingning Gu ◽

Guolyu Xu ◽

Yanmei Shi ◽

Heding Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Osmotic Pressure ◽

Reference Gene ◽

Salinity Stress ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Target Gene ◽

Housekeeping Genes ◽

Target Gene Expression ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Suitable Reference

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) is an undeniably effective tool for measuring levels of gene expression, but the accuracy and reliability of the statistical data obtained depend mainly on the basal expression of selected housekeeping genes in many samples. To date, there have been few analyses of stable housekeeping genes in Onchidium reevesii under salinity stress and injury. In this study, the gene expression stabilities of seven commonly used housekeeping genes, CYC, RPL28S, ACTB, TUBB, EF1a, Ubiq and 18S RNA, were investigated using BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinfer. Although the results of the four programs varied to some extent, in general, RPL28S, TUBB, ACTB and EF1a were ranked highly. ACTB and TUBB were found to be the most stable housekeeping genes under salinity stress, and EF1a plus TUBB was the most stable combination under injury stress. When analysing target gene expression in different tissues, RPL28S or EF1a should be selected as the reference gene according to the level of target gene expression. Under extreme environmental stress (salinity) conditions, ACTB (0 ppt, 5 ppt, 15 ppt, 25 ppt) and TUBB (35 ppt) are reasonable reference gene choices when expression stability and abundance are considered. Under conditions of 15 ppt salinity and injury stress, our results showed that the best two-gene combination was TUBB plus EF1a. Therefore, we suggest that RPL28S, ACTB and TUBB are suitable reference genes for evaluating mRNA transcript levels. Based on candidate gene expression analysis, the tolerance of O. reevesii to low salinity (low osmotic pressure) is reduced compared to its tolerance to high salinity (high osmotic pressure). These findings will help researchers obtain accurate results in future quantitative gene expression analyses of O. reevesii under other stress conditions.

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