副溶血性弧菌毒力基因表达时内参基因的选择

[目的]筛选出合适的内参基因用于分析不同环境条件下副溶血性弧菌毒力基因的表达情况.[方法]本研究以虾样品中、海水样品中、过滤海水样品中以及TSB培养条件下的副溶血性弧菌为材料,利用qRT-PCR技术评价了GAPDH、pvuA、pvsA和rpoS4种常用管家基因在不同条件下的表达稳定性.[结果]4种管家基因均能特异扩增,表达稳定性排列顺序为pvuA(2.906)＞pvsA(3.197)＞GAPDH(3.746)＞rpoS(6.512),进一步通过geNorm软件分析,最终选择两个表达最为稳定的内参基因即pvuA和pvsA,以二者的几何平均值作为参照可更为准确地校正目的基因的表达.[结论]pvuA和pvsA可作为环境样品中副溶血性弧菌毒力基因表达变化研究的内参基因.     

植物基因表达转录分析中内参基因的选择与应用

管家基因能够在生物体细胞中表达和不断地被转录,对于维持细胞功能发挥重要作用,并在细胞中组成型稳定表达。随着基因表达研究的深入,发现许多管家基因的表达也受到不同程度的调控。选择合适的管家基因作为内参对于准确定量分析目标基因的表达水平至关重要。通过对植物基因表达研究中常用的内参对照基因的表达特性,综述了可以筛选作为内参对照基因的标准和条件的验证。     

管家基因GAPDH在肿瘤与衰老组织中作为内参应慎重

甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶（glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase,GAPDH）是糖酵解过程中的一个酶,编码该酶的基因为管家基因,几乎在所有组织中呈高水平、恒定表达,常用作蛋白质、RNA、DNA等分子生物学相关实验的标准化内参。但近年来,GAPDH作为内参受到质疑,特别是在肿瘤组织、衰老组织。大量研究证实,GAPDH在多种肿瘤中表达上调,衰老的骨骼肌中下调。其中GAPDH在肿瘤中的高表达可能与肿瘤的侵袭性转移和细胞增殖相关。本文就GAPDH在肿瘤、衰老组织或细胞中的表达情况以及可能机制作一综述,旨在更全面地了解管家基因GAPDH在肿瘤与衰老组织、细胞中是否恒定表达,以便在研究中可以选择最优的内参做参照。     

珙桐CAC基因的克隆及其作为内参基因的评价

从珙桐(Davidia involucrata Baill.)中克隆到一个编码网格蛋白衔接蛋白复合物(Clathrin adaptor complexes,CAC)的基因,命名为DiCAC(Gen Bank登录号为KX268525)。该基因开放阅读框全长1 317 bp,编码438个氨基酸。同源序列比对与聚类分析表明,该基因与其它15种植物的CAC氨基酸序列的相似度达到94%以上,其中与葡萄CAC的氨基酸序列同源性最高。为评价该基因作为珙桐内参基因的可行性,结合5个珙桐管家基因(ACT7、EF1a、GAPDH、β-TUB、18S rRNA),采用半定量PCR和实时荧光定量PCR对DiCAC基因在珙桐不同组织以及不同发育阶段苞片中的表达稳定性进行分析,并与常见管家基因的稳定性进行比较,结果表明,该基因在珙桐不同组织以及不同发育阶段苞片中均为稳定表达,且表达稳定性优于常见管家基因,可以作为相关基因表达研究中的内参基因。首次克隆到珙桐CAC基因,并且明确了其作为内参基因的可行性,为深入研究珙桐相关基因的表达分析提供了候选内参基因资源。     

华细辛实时荧光定量PCR分析中内参基因的选择

选择合适的内参基因是准确分析目标基因表达水平变化的重要条件。选取SAND-1、ACT、18Sr RNA、CYP2、GAPDH、TUB 6个常用的内参基因作为候选内参基因,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术,通过ge Norm、Norm Finder、Best Keeper、Delta CT等软件分析和评价6个候选内参基因在华细辛营养生长期、花期和花后期等不同生长阶段的根、根茎、叶片、叶柄等不同组织中的表达稳定性,筛选适宜华细辛不同生长阶段不同组织基因表达水平分析的内参基因。结果表明,18S r RNA在华细辛所有样品中表达最为稳定,是进行华细辛基因表达水平分析的适宜的内参基因。研究结果可为华细辛重要活性成分生物合成途径相关基因的功能分析,以及基因差异表达的研究提供有效的校正工具,确保基因表达分析结果的准确性与可靠性。     

藜科植物藜和灰绿藜实时荧光定量PCR内参基因的选择

选择合适的内参基因是实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)研究的关键,目前对藜科耐盐(盐生)植物胁迫相关基因的表达分析中所用内参基因的报道较为有限.该研究利用GeNorm、NormFinder和BestKeeper 3个内参基因分析软件,对已选择过的β-TUBULIN、β-ACTIN、GAPDH 3个常用候选内参基因进行了比较分析,筛选出在NaCl和PEG胁迫下藜和灰绿藜中表达相对稳定的内参基因.结果表明:GeNorm、NormFinder内参软件分析在NaCl和PEG胁迫下,GAPDH是藜和灰绿藜中均共同稳定表达的内参基因,同时在藜和灰绿藜中也有各自表达较稳定的内参基因,β-ACTIN在藜中稳定表达,β-TUBULIN则在灰绿藜中稳定表达.对相同科不同种的植物内参基因表达差异进行比较,内参基因在相同科中具有相同稳定表达的内参;对相同胁迫下两种不同植物内参基因表达稳定性进行分析,内参基因的选择需根据实际的实验材料和实验条件而定.基于3个分析软件对以上3个常用内参基因的分析结果,初步确定了在藜科植物藜和灰绿藜中相对稳定的内参基因,为藜和灰绿藜胁迫相关基因的定量表达分析提供了参考依据.     

光处理下粘虫头部组织定量PCR分析中内参基因的筛选

[目的]筛选不同光处理下粘虫Mythimna separata稳定表达的内参基因,为基因定量研究提供基础.[方法]以粘虫头部组织为材料,选取18s rRNA、EF-1α、β-actin、GAPDH和AK5种候选内参基因进行实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)分析,然后通过△Ct法,BestKeeper、GeNorrn、Normfinder和RefFinder软件对候选内参基因的稳定性进行分析;利用GeNorm软件进行基因配对差异分析,以判断内参基因的最适组合.[结果]5种候选内参基因的Ct值都处于15-28之间.4种软件对5个候选基因稳定性的分析结果存在一定差异.综合分析各种软件的分析结果,推荐粘虫成虫不同光处理条件下采用AK和GAPDH作为内参基因.[结论]根据特定试验体系选择合适的内参基因对于qRT-PCR定量结果的准确定和可靠性具有重要意义.本研究对后续粘虫在不同光处理条件下目标基因的准确定量具有重要意义.     

Bt毒素诱导下小菜蛾实时定量PCR 内参基因的筛选

【目的】筛选出Bt毒素诱导后的小菜蛾Plutella xylostella (L.)的实时定量PCR最适内参基因。【方法】选取核糖体18S rRNA (18S rRNA)、 肌动蛋白（ACTB）、 延伸因子（EF1）、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶（GAPDH）、 核糖体蛋白L32 (RPL32)、 核糖体蛋白S13 （RPS13）、 核糖体蛋白S20 （RPS20）和β-微管蛋白(TUB)基因作为候选内参基因, 以geNorm、 Normfinder和BestKeeper软件分析这8个基因在Bt毒素诱导后的小菜蛾不同品系中肠组织中的表达稳定性。并应用筛选出来的内参基因分析小菜蛾氨肽酶2（aminopeptidase N2, APN2）基因的表达水平。【结果】geNorm软件以RPS13和EF1为最稳定内参基因, NormFinder和BestKeeper软件均以RPS13和RPL32为最稳定基因。使用3种不同内参基因分析Bt毒素诱导后的小菜蛾Bt抗性和敏感品系中ANP2表达水平时, 新的内参基因EF1和传统内参基因RPL32表现了良好的稳定性, 二者作为标准化因子, ANP2表达量结果基本一致, 而使用18S rRNA作为内参基因, 却导致部分表达量分析结果有所误差。【结论】筛选出PRS13,RPL32和EF1可以作为小菜蛾某些试验条件下的内参基因, 对小菜蛾基因表达研究奠定了一定基础, 也对其他昆虫内参基因的筛选具有参考价值。     

松墨天牛化学感受组织荧光定量PCR内参基因的鉴定与筛选

【目的】本研究拟选择适合用于分析松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus化学感受组织中基因表达的内参基因。【方法】依据转录组测序结果进行内参基因鉴定,利用RT-q PCR技术分析内参基因在松墨天牛不同发育阶段和不同性别化学感受组织间的表达差异,并利用软件ge Norm,Norm Finder和Best Keeper比较其表达的稳定性。【结果】松墨天牛转录组中鉴定出9个候选内参基因(Actin,TUB,18S rRNA,RPS27A,RPS3,RPL10,AK,GAPDH和EF1A),其中后7个候选内参基因在松墨天牛中被首次鉴定,松墨天牛候选内参基因和其他昆虫相应基因的同源性很高。9个候选内参基因引物均具有良好的扩增效率,18S rRNA的表达水平最高,EF1A的表达水平最低;18S rRNA和Actin在不同样品间的表达水平差异最大,GAPDH和TUB表达水平在不同样品间差异最小。ge Norm和Norm Finder软件分析认为,GAPDH是最稳定的内参基因,TUB是较为稳定的内参基因,18S rRNA和Actin是最不稳定的内参基因;Best Keeper软件分析认为,GAPDH和TUB是合适的内参基因,18S rRNA和Actin是不适合的内参基因。最适合校正松墨天牛化学感受组织中基因表达数据的内参基因数量为2个,即GAPDH和TUB,并且这样的内参基因组合可以用于不同发育阶段和不同性别的不同化学感受组织。【结论】本研究结果为利用RT-q PCR技术准确分析松墨天牛和其他天牛基因包括化学感受组织基因相对表达量的内参基因选择提供了重要参考。     

柑橘大实蝇内参基因的评估

【目的】柑橘大实蝇Bactrocera minax (Enderlein)是一种危害严重的柑橘害虫。本研究旨在筛选柑橘大实蝇在特定条件下体内稳定表达的内参基因, 以确保使用实时荧光定量PCR分析目标基因表达的可靠性。【方法】选择10种候选内参基因用于进行实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）, 利用5种软件对柑橘大实蝇在不同虫态下（低龄幼虫、3龄幼虫、1日龄蛹、80日龄蛹、160日龄蛹、雄成虫、雌成虫）以及成虫不同部位（成虫头、胸、腹、整体）中候选内参基因的Ct值进行分析, 明确其表达的稳定性。【结果】在柑橘大实蝇不同虫态和成虫不同部位, 10种候选内参基因的Ct值都处于15~30之间, 各基因Ct值的不同表明各基因的表达量存在差异。 综合分析各种软件对内参基因稳定性的排名, 结合geNorm软件对最佳内参基因数量的分析结果, 推荐在不同虫态下采用UBQ, GAPDH和GST作为内参基因, 在不同成虫部位中采用TUB, GAPDH和GST作为内参基因。【结论】为了获取可信的目标基因表达分析结果, 建议根据不同条件选择使用不同的内参基因组合。本研究结果有利于进一步研究柑橘大实蝇在特定条件下的目标基因表达。     

牧草盲蝽实时定量PCR内参基因的筛选

【目的】筛选出适合牧草盲蝽Lygus pratensis在不同条件下稳定表达的内参基因。【方法】选取编码牧草盲蝽α-微管蛋白、β-微管蛋白、肌动蛋白、延伸因子、琥珀酸脱氢酶复合体A、泛素、转录起始因子TFIID亚基、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶、核糖体蛋白L32及TATA盒结合蛋白的10条基因为候选内参基因,采用qRT-PCR技术测定其在牧草盲蝽不同性别成虫、成虫不同组织、不同龄期、对功夫菊酯不同抗性成虫、不同温度及不同杀虫剂分别处理后的成虫共6类样品中的表达量;采用BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder及RefFinder 4种计算程序对各候选基因的表达稳定性进行评价。【结果】依据获得的有效qRT-PCR数据前提,利用不同计算方法综合分析得出：在牧草盲蝽成虫不同组织中和对功夫菊酯不同抗性成虫中最稳定表达的内参基因均为RPL32;不同温度处理、不同性别成虫中、不同杀虫剂处理和不同龄期牧草盲蝽中最稳定表达的内参基因分别为UBQ, SDHA, β-tubulin和TAF。通过geNorm软件判断配对变异数确定的内参基因最佳数目,结合RefFinder对基因表达稳定性综合排序的结果可得：牧草盲蝽不同成虫组织中、不同性别成虫中、不同龄期、对功夫菊酯不同抗性成虫中、不同温度及杀虫剂分别处理的成虫等各组的最优内参基因组合分别为RPL32+TAF, SDHA+GST, TAF+GST+UBQ, RPL32+GST, UBQ+ACT+β-tubulin和β-tubulin+TAF+RPL32。【结论】本研究获得的牧草盲蝽在不同条件下表达最稳定及最适内参基因组合,都可用于后续的基因定量表达研究。     

Selection of housekeeping genes for qRT-PCR analysis in potato tubers under cold stress

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is currently the most sensitive method used for quantitative gene expression studies. However, minimal variation in the amount of material and presence of inhibitors affecting enzyme efficiency can lead to significant quantification errors. Accurate data normalization is vital using reference genes as internal controls. Many so-called housekeeping genes or reference genes with assumed stable expression can exhibit either up- or downregulation depending on the developmental stage or other environmental conditions. We have evaluated six reference genes (actin, APRT, 18S rRNA, ef1α, β-tubulin and ribosomal protein L2) for qRT-PCR profiling experiments in potato tuber tissues of five varieties during cold storage at different temperatures and treatment periods. Genes were ranked according to their expression stability by BestKeeper, geNorm and NormFinder software tools in the same order. This means that any of them can be used for this purpose. The results indicated that ef1α and APRT were the most stably expressed genes in the potato tuber tissues under different cold storage regimes. We therefore recommend use of this pair of genes as internal controls for gene expression studies under the described conditions.     

Identification of Optimal Reference Genes for Gene Expression Normalization in a Wide Cohort of Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma Tissues

Accurate normalization is a primary component of a reliable gene expression analysis based on qRT-PCR technique. While the use of one or more reference genes as internal controls is commonly accepted as the most appropriate normalization strategy, many qPCR-based published studies still contain data poorly normalized and reference genes arbitrarily chosen irrespective of the particular tissue and the specific experimental design. To date, no validated reference genes have been identified for endometrial cancer tissues. In this study, 10 normalization genes (GAPDH, B2M, ACTB, POLR2A, UBC, PPIA, HPRT1, GUSB, TBP, H3F3A) belonging to different functional and abundance classes in various tissues and used in different studies, were analyzed to determine their applicability. In total, 100 endometrioid endometrial cancer samples, which were carefully balanced according to their tumor grade, and 29 normal endometrial tissues were examined using SYBR Green Real-Time RT-PCR. The expression stability of candidate reference genes was determined and compared by means of geNorm and NormFinder softwares. Both algorithms were in agreement in identifying GAPDH, H3F3A, PPIA, and HPRT1 as the most stably expressed genes, only differing in their ranking order. Analysis performed on the expression levels of all candidate genes confirm HPRT1 and PPIA as the most stably expressed in the study groups regardless of sample type, to be used alone or better in combination. As the stable expression of HPRT1 and PPIA between normal and tumor endometrial samples fulfill the basic requirement of a reference gene to be used for normalization purposes, HPRT1 expression showed significant differences between samples from low-grade and high-grade tumors. In conclusion, our results recommend the use of PPIA as a single reference gene to be considered for improved reliability of normalization in gene expression studies involving endometrial tumor samples at different tumor degrees.     

Identification and Validation of Reference Genes and Their Impact on Normalized Gene Expression Studies across Cultivated and Wild Cicer Species

Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) is a preferred and reliable method for accurate quantification of gene expression to understand precise gene functions. A total of 25 candidate reference genes including traditional and new generation reference genes were selected and evaluated in a diverse set of chickpea samples. The samples used in this study included nine chickpea genotypes (Cicer spp.) comprising of cultivated and wild species, six abiotic stress treatments (drought, salinity, high vapor pressure deficit, abscisic acid, cold and heat shock), and five diverse tissues (leaf, root, flower, seedlings and seed). The geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder algorithms used to identify stably expressed genes in four sample sets revealed stable expression of UCP and G6PD genes across genotypes, while TIP41 and CAC were highly stable under abiotic stress conditions. While PP2A and ABCT genes were ranked as best for different tissues, ABCT, UCP and CAC were most stable across all samples. This study demonstrated the usefulness of new generation reference genes for more accurate qPCR based gene expression quantification in cultivated as well as wild chickpea species. Validation of the best reference genes was carried out by studying their impact on normalization of aquaporin genes PIP1;4 and TIP3;1, in three contrasting chickpea genotypes under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) treatment. The chickpea TIP3;1 gene got significantly up regulated under high VPD conditions with higher relative expression in the drought susceptible genotype, confirming the suitability of the selected reference genes for expression analysis. This is the first comprehensive study on the stability of the new generation reference genes for qPCR studies in chickpea across species, different tissues and abiotic stresses.     

Using ribosomal protein genes as reference: a tale of caution

Background

Housekeeping genes are needed in every tissue as their expression is required for survival, integrity or duplication of every cell. Housekeeping genes commonly have been used as reference genes to normalize gene expression data, the underlying assumption being that they are expressed in every cell type at approximately the same level. Often, the terms “reference genes” and “housekeeping genes” are used interchangeably. In this paper, we would like to distinguish between these terms. Consensus is growing that housekeeping genes which have traditionally been used to normalize gene expression data are not good reference genes. Recently, ribosomal protein genes have been suggested as reference genes based on a meta-analysis of publicly available microarray data.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We have applied several statistical tools on a dataset of 70 microarrays representing 22 different tissues, to assess and visualize expression stability of ribosomal protein genes. We confirmed the housekeeping status of these genes, but further estimated expression stability across tissues in order to assess their potential as reference genes. One- and two-way ANOVA revealed that all ribosomal protein genes have significant expression variation across tissues and exhibit tissue-dependent expression behavior as a group. Via multidimensional unfolding analysis, we visualized this tissue-dependency. In addition, we explored mechanisms that may cause tissue dependent effects of individual ribosomal protein genes.

Conclusions/Significance

Here we provide statistical and biological evidence that ribosomal protein genes exhibit important tissue-dependent variation in mRNA expression. Though these genes are most stably expressed of all investigated genes in a meta-analysis they cannot be considered true reference genes.