Q-Gene: processing quantitative real-time RT-PCR data

SUMMARY: Q-Gene is an application for the processing of quantitative real-time RT-PCR data. It offers the user the possibility to freely choose between two principally different procedures to calculate normalized gene expressions as either means of Normalized Expressions or Mean Normalized Expressions. In this contribution it will be shown that the calculation of Mean Normalized Expressions has to be used for processing simplex PCR data, while multiplex PCR data should preferably be processed by calculating Normalized Expressions. The two procedures, which are currently in widespread use and regarded as more or less equivalent alternatives, should therefore specifically be applied according to the quantification procedure used. AVAILABILITY: Web access to this program is provided at http://www.biotechniques.com/softlib/qgene.html     

Measurement of bacterial gene expression in vivo by laser capture microdissection and quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Due to the relative small number of bacterial pathogens present in an infected host, exploration of pathogen gene expression in vivo is challenging. This study reports the development of a protocol for quantifying bacterial gene expression in vivo in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae using laser capture microdissection and real-time quantitative RT-PCR.     

Evaluation of coffee reference genes for relative expression studies by quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Accuracy in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) requires the use of stable endogenous controls. Normalization with multiple reference genes is the gold standard, but their identification is a laborious task, especially in species with limited sequence information. Coffee (Coffea ssp.) is an important agricultural commodity and, due to its economic relevance, is the subject of increasing research in genetics and biotechnology, in which gene expression analysis is one of the most important fields. Notwithstanding, relatively few works have focused on the analysis of gene expression in coffee. Moreover, most of these works have used less accurate techniques such as northern blot assays instead of more accurate techniques (e.g., qPCR) that have already been extensively used in other plant species. Aiming to boost the use of qPCR in studies of gene expression in coffee, we uncovered reference genes to be used in a number of different experimental conditions. Using two distinct algorithms implemented by geNorm and Norm Finder, we evaluated a total of eight candidate reference genes (psaB, PP2A, AP47, S24, GAPDH, rpl39, UBQ10, and UBI9) in four different experimental sets (control versus drought-stressed leaves, control versus drought-stressed roots, leaves of three different coffee cultivars, and four different coffee organs). The most suitable combination of reference genes was indicated in each experimental set for use as internal control for reliable qPCR data normalization. This study also provides useful guidelines for reference gene selection for researchers working with coffee plant samples under conditions other than those tested here. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Quantifying Aotus monkey cytokines by real-time quantitative RT-PCR

Aotus spp. monkeys are considered the ideal model for studying the progress of malarial infection and the immune response it elicits. We describe the use of a recently developed technique, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, to quantify several Aotus monkey cytokine mRNAs involved in Th1/Th2 responses (IL-4, IL-10, TNF-beta and IFN-gamma). Specific primers were designed for each cytokine and standard curves were constructed using serial dilutions of pDNA containing each target sequence. Results were normalized to GAPDH housekeeping gene expression levels. Standard curves showed high correlation coefficients and were linear over a wide range of copy numbers. Quantification of Aotus samples showed little intra- and inter-experiment variation, thus, the technique has proven to be highly reproducible and sensitive allowing us to detect as little as 25 copies/microl of target DNA. This technique will allow studying Th1 and Th2 cytokine patterns elicited in response to infection for prospectively evaluating the efficacy of malarial vaccines.     

Improving quantitative real-time RT-PCR reproducibility by boosting primer-linked amplification efficiency

The effect of primer selection on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performance was tested. Primer sets of varying length of product were used to amplify the sequence of -actin. Variability in length caused variability in RT-PCR performance. Kinetic parameters of PCR were studied by mathematical approximation of real-time data by means of a four-parametric sigmoid model. This model describes the full kinetics of the amplification trajectory. Statistical exploration of parameters yielded by this model revealed that reactions with higher amplification efficiency – primed by well-performing primers – proceed with lower variability and are therefore better suited for measurement purposes.     

Validation of reference genes for quantitative expression analysis by real-time RT-PCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background  

Real-time RT-PCR is the recommended method for quantitative gene expression analysis. A compulsory step is the selection of good reference genes for normalization. A few genes often referred to as HouseKeeping Genes (HSK), such as ACT1, RDN18 or PDA1 are among the most commonly used, as their expression is assumed to remain unchanged over a wide range of conditions. Since this assumption is very unlikely, a geometric averaging of multiple, carefully selected internal control genes is now strongly recommended for normalization to avoid this problem of expression variation of single reference genes. The aim of this work was to search for a set of reference genes for reliable gene expression analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Microdissected region-specific gene expression analysis with methacarn-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by real-time RT-PCR.

We have previously shown methacarn to be a versatile fixative for analysis of proteins, DNA, and RNA in paraffin-embedded tissues (PETs). In this study we analyzed its suitability for quantitative mRNA expression analysis of microdissected PET specimens using a real-time RT-PCR technique. Fidelity of expression in the methacarn-fixed PET sections, with reference to dose-dependent induction of cytochrome P450 2B1 in the phenobarbital-treated rat liver, was high in comparison with the unfixed frozen tissue case, even after hematoxylin staining. RNA yield from methacarn-fixed PET sections was equivalent to that in unfixed cryosections and was also not significantly affected by hematoxylin staining. Correlations between the expression levels of target genes and input amounts of extracted RNA in the range of 1-1000 pg were very high (correlation coefficients >0.98), the regression curves being similar to those with unfixed cryosections. Although cell numbers should be optimized for each target gene/tissue, >/=200 cells were necessary for accurate measurement in 10-microm-thick rat liver sections judging from the variation of measured value in small microdissected areas. These results indicate high performance with methacarn, close to that of unfixed tissues, regarding quantitative expression analysis of mRNAs in microdissected PET-specimens.     

应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达

目的应用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）对大鼠肝星状细胞（HSCs）的死亡受体5（DR5）mRNA表达的影响,探讨BMSCs诱导HSCs凋亡及其机制。方法采用贴壁筛选法培养、纯化SD大鼠BMSCs,传至第4代使用;大鼠原代HSCs细胞及肝纤维原细胞系冻融后传代使用。应用6孔塑料培养板,建立上下双层细胞共培养体系,常规培养。实验分为3组：（1）实验组：BMSCs与HSCs共培养;（2）空白对照组：HSCs单独培养;（3）阴性对照组：大鼠肝纤维原细胞与HSCs共培养。以上培养体系动态观察24、48、72h,应用流式细胞仪检测HSCs细胞凋亡率,采用SYBRGreenI荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测,以β-actin基因作为内参,计算各组DR5mRNA的相对表达量。结果在共培养组中,BMSCs促进了HSCs凋亡,与其他两组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）,空白对照组与阴性对照组比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。实验组BMSCs能明显上调HSCs中DR5mRNA的表达,与空白对照组和阴性对照组比较差异有显著统计学意义（P〈O．01）;空白对照组与阴性对照组DR5mRNA的表达比较无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。结论利用SYBR荧光实时定量RT-PCR法检测BMSCs诱导大鼠肝星状细胞中DR5mRNA表达,为进一步研究BMSCs通过死亡受体途径调控HSCs凋亡以及为BMSCs用于治疗肝纤维化的机制研究提供了理论基础。     

Quantification of prion gene expression in brain and peripheral organs of golden hamster by real-time RT-PCR

Determination of tissue-specific expression of cellular prion protein (PrPc) is essential for understanding its poorly explained role in organisms. Herein we report on quantification of PrP mRNA in golden hamsters, a popular experimental model for studying mechanisms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), by real-time RT-PCR. Total RNA was isolated from four different regions of the brain and six peripheral organs of eight golden hamsters. PrP mRNA copy numbers were determined using absolute standard curve method with real-time quantitative PCR instrument. It was found that high mRNA levels were present in all four regions of the brain examined, including obex, neocortex, cerebellum, and thalamus. In peripheral organs examined, inguinal lymph node showed high level of the expression similar to that in overall brain; spleen, heart, liver, and lung showed moderate levels of the expression; and kidney showed the lowest expression. Our result is consistent with the potential involvement of different organs in prion diseases and offers essential data for further study of TSE mechanism in this animal model.