Real-time Quantitative PCR Analysis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2(VEGFR-2) Expression at Zebrafish Different Developmental Stages

[Objective]To investigate the expression of zebrafish vascular endothelial growth factor-2（VEGFR-2） at different developmental stages.[Method]Total RNAs were extracted from 12,24,48,72 and 96 hpf stage zebrafish embryos and larvae.Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of VEGFR-2.The data were analyzed by 2^-△△Ct method.[Result]The expression level of VEGFR-2 gene increased gradually from 12 to 72 hpf,and subsequently decreased at 96 hpf.The expression level was lowest at 12 hpf,highest at 72 hpf,and had significant differences when compared with that of other developmental stages.[Conclusion]The expression level of VEGFR-2 increases gradually before blood vessel maturation and decreases as blood vessels mature.

Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR非特异性扩增的研究进展

Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)因其高效快速、操作简便、高度敏感等优点获得广泛应用,但因其强大的放大功能而容易出现非特异性扩增的问题,尤其是荧光染料法中更加明显。文章对RT-qPCR的原理、非特异性扩增的发生因素、解决方案及该技术的应用前景进行了综述。

Development and Application of a Quantitative Competitive PCR Assay for Detecting Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

[Objective] This study aimed to develop a quantitative competitive assay for detecting Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in culture. [Method] One pair of Mhp-specific primers was designed for detecting Mhp in culture. Another pair of primers was designed based on the conserved gene sequences of Mycoplasma. The competitive template, which carried the same primer binding site with the target fragment, was constructed using enzyme digestion method. [Result] The logarithm of concentration of competitive template was treated as the abscissa（X-axis）, and the logarithm of corrected optical density ratio between amplification products by competitive template and target template was treated as the ordinate（Y-axis）. Thus the standard curve was drawn, and the regression equation was also obtained. When Y was assigned as 0, the concentration of the competitive plate was calculated, and then the concentration of Mhp was deduced. The logarithms of Color change unit（CCU） were treated as the abscissa（X-axis）, and the copy numbers of Mhp were treated as the ordinate（Y-axis）, so the standard curve was generated. It was found that the copy number of Mhp was highly correlated to CCU. [Conclusion] A quantitative competitive PCR assay was successfully established for the rapid detection of Mhp in culture.

Application of Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR in Plant

Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （RQ-PCR） is a detection method by adding fluorescent dye or fluorescent probe into the PCR reaction system, using fluorescent signal accumulation to monitor amplification reactions of PCR reaction process, and finally the unknown template can be quantitatively analyzed through the standard curve. So the detection level of PCR has improved from the qualitative to the quantitative. In order to provide a theoretical reference for further application, the principle, classification, advantages and disadvantages of RQ-PCR were intro- duced, and its application and progress in plants in recent years were reviewed.

Determining the Copy Number of Exogenous Gene in Transgenic Plant by SYBR Green Real-time Quantitative PCR

[Objective] To explore the feasibility of using SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR technique to estimate the copy numbers of exogenous gene in a transgenic plant.[Methods] Using SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR technique,we have determined the copy numbers of the exogenous CYCD3;1 in transgenic Arabidopsis by comparing an endogenous single copy reference gene with CYCD3;1 copy numbers in transgenic plant,meanwhile comparing CYCD3;1 copy numbers between wild plant and transgenic plant.[Results]The exogenous CYCD3;1 copy numbers calculated by this method is identical with results of traditional Southern blot analysis which is highly accurate.[Conclusion]This method is simple,effective and safe for estimating transgene copy numbers.

应用Q-PCR定性检测KIR基因有无方法的建立

目的建立定性检测KIR基因有无的Q-PCR方法。方法根据高分辨水平中国人群KIR等位基因的多态性,并参考国际IPD-KIR数据库,针对16种KIR基因及2DS4-Normal、2DS4-Deleted两种亚型,设计KIR基因特异性引物用于Q-PCR扩增反应;同时设置一孔阴性对照、一孔阳性对照(特异性扩增人体生长激素HGH基因片段),以监控假阳性、假阴性的结果。为验证Q-PCR方法的可靠性,随机选择302份已采用KIR PCR-SSP商品化试剂盒检测的标本,采用Q-PCR方法盲检和对比。结果300人份的Q-PCR检测结果与已知的PCR-SSP检测结果相符,有2份标本结果不一致,其中1例标本的2DS5基因Q-PCR检测结果为阴性,而PCR-SSP检测结果为阳性;另一例标本2DS1基因Q-PCR检测结果为阳性,而PCR-SSP检测结果为阴性。对2份标本分别进行2DS5、2DS1基因测序分型,证实Q-PCR定性检测结果正确。结论本文建立的KIR Q-PCR方法结果准确、可靠,可用于KIR基因有无的定性检测。

Utility of Droplet Digital PCR Assay for Quantitative Detection of Norovirus in Shellfish, from Production to Consumption in Guangxi, China

Objective Shellfish are recognized as important vehicles of norovirus-associated gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to monitor norovirus contamination in oysters along the farm-to-fork continuum in Guangxi, a major oyster production area in Southwestern China. Methods Oyster samples were collected monthly from farms, markets, and restaurants, from January to December 2016. Norovirus was detected and quantified by one-step reverse transcription-droplet digital polymerase chain reaction（RT-ddPCR）. Results A total of 480 oyster samples were collected and tested for norovirus genogroups I and II. Norovirus was detected in 20.7% of samples, with genogroup II predominating. No significant difference was observed in norovirus prevalence among different sampling sites. The norovirus levels varied widely, with a geometric mean of 19,300 copies/g in digestive glands. Both norovirus prevalence and viral loads showed obvious seasonality, with a strong winter bias. Conclusion This study provides a systematic analysis of norovirus contamination ‘from the farm to the fork＇ in Guangxi. RT-ddPCR can be a useful tool for detection and quantification of low amounts of norovirus in the presence of inhibitors found particularly in foodstuffs. This approach will contribute to the development of strategies for controlling and reducing the risk of human illness resulting from shellfish consumption.

Validation of housekeeping genes as internal controls for studying the gene expression in Pyropia haitanensis(Bangiales, Rhodophyta) by quantitative real-time PCR

Pyropia haitanensis is an economically important mariculture crop in China and has a high research value for several life phenomena, for example environmental tolerance. To explore the mechanisms underlying these characteristics, gene expression has been investigated at the whole transcriptome level. Gene expression studies using quantitative real-time PCR should start by selecting an appropriate internal control gene; therefore, the absolute expression abundance of six housekeeping genes （18S rRNA （18S）, ubiquitin-conju-ating enzyme （UBC）, actin （ACT）, β-tubulin （TUB）, elongation factors 2 （EF2）, and glyceraldehyde-3-phos- phate dehydrogenase （GAPDH） examined by the quantitative real-time PCR in samples corresponding to different strains, life-cycle stages and abiotic stress treatments. Their expression stabilities were assessed by the comparative cycle threshold （Ct） method and by two different software packages： geNorm and NormFinder. The most stable housekeeping gene is UBC and the least stable housekeeping is GADPH. Thus, it is proposed that the most appropriate internal control gene for expression analyses in P. haitanensis is UBC. The results pave the way for further gene expression analyses of different aspects of P. haitanensis biology including different strains, life-history stages and abiotic stress responses.

A Comparison Between Northern Blotting and Quantitative Real-Time PCR as a Means of Detecting the Nutritional Regulation of Genes Expressed in Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana

Quantitative real-time PCR （qRT-PCR） has become a routine and robust technique for measuring the expression of genes of interest, validating microarray experiments and monitoring biomarkers. However, concerns have been raised over the accuracy of qRT-PCR in China as well as in the rest of the world. We have previously used qRT-PCR to study the response of ANR1 and other root-expressed MADS-box genes to fluctuations in the supply of nitrate, phosphate and sulphate under hydroponic growth conditions. In this study, we have used both Northern blotting and qRT-PCR analyses to confirm the nutritional regulation of MADS-box genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and test whether both technologies produce the same results. The information obtained indicated that the qRT-PCR results are consistent with those obtained by Northern blotting hybridization for all the tested root-expressed MADS-box genes, in response to different nitrate, phosphate and sulphate growth conditions. Furthermore, our novel results showed that the expressions of AGL12, AGL18, and AGL19 were all down regulated in response to S and P re-supply in both qRT-PCR and Northern blotting analyses.

Detection of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Fermented Material by Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR

The species distinctive PCR primer of Lactobacillus acidophilus （ L. acidophilus） was designed according to 16S rRNA gene sequences of conunon Lac- tobacillus species in fermented material. Bacterial genome DNA of separated L. acidophilus in fermented sample was taken as template, and L. acidophilus in fer- mented material was conducted the quantitative determination by real-time quantitative PCR （RT-PCR）. Analysis on RT-PCR results shown that contents of L. aci- dophilus in the test sample reached 1.5 billion CFU / g. Test results shown that contents of L. acidophilus in fermented material could be detected accurately by the established RT-PCR method in the test. indicating that the established RT-PCR method could be aookued to the detection of L. acidophilus in fermented material.

Evaluation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis of gene expression during early development processes of the tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Differential expression of genes is crucial to growth and development of fish. To select the appropriate genes for gene normalization during Cynoglossus semilaevis early developmental process, eight candidate reference genes （ACTB, B2M, EF1A, GADPH, RPL7, TUBA, UBCE and 18S） were tested for their adequacy by using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the expression of all the examined genes exhibited tissue dependent variations in the mature C. semilaevis. EFIA was listed as the most stable reference among the 14 tissues by RefFinder. Furthermore, the recommended comprehensive ranking of the stability determined by RefFinder showed that 18S was the most stable gene during the early developmental stages （from oosphere to 90 days old） in this study. However, when divided the Ct value data of the above mentioned early developmental stages into two separate periods （embryo and post-hatching periods）, TUBA and 18S represented the most stable references of these two developmental periods, respectively. Consequently, the reference gene should be carefully and accurately chosen even for studies of the same species at various developmental processes. The relevant data may help in selecting appropriate reference genes for mRNA expression analysis, and is of great value in the studies of fish growth and development.

Selection of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Analysis in Nilaparvata lugens with Different Levels of Virulence on Rice by Quantitative Real-Time PCR

The brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stal （Homoptera： Delphacidae） can cause hopperburn by feeding on rice and also can transmit the grassy stunt disease. Resistant rice varieties have been developed, but several N. lugens strains can recover their virulence to these resistant rice varieties. In the present study, reference genes with stable expression levels in N. lugens populations showed different levels of virulence to susceptible and resistant rice varieties. The expression of six candidate reference genes in N. lugens feeding on susceptible and resistant rice varieties was analyzed. These genes were evaluated for their potential use in the analysis of differential gene expression. Polymerase chain reaction data was generated from N. lugens, including two different treatments （resistant or susceptible rice） and three virulent N. lugens populations. Three software programs （BestKeeper, Normfinder and geNorm） were used to assess the candidate reference genes. Both geNorm and Normfinder identified the genes 18S, E-ACT, E-TUB and a-TUB as the most stable reference genes. BestKeeper identified ETIF1 as the optimal reference gene with the least overall variation, whereas 18S and a-TUB were the second and third most stably expressed genes, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the genes 18S and a-TUB were the most suitable reference genes in N. lugens. These results will facilitate future transcript profiling studies on N. lugens populations that show variation in virulence levels on different rice varieties.

Application of Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR in Studies on Plants

Real-Lime fluorescent quantitative PCR is a method for quantitative analysis of gene expression developed in recent years, which has been widely used in various fields such as basic scientific research, clinical diagnosis, disease study, drug research and development since its appearance. It starts relatively late in study on plants, but has already been used for analysis of gene expression in plants and gene identification of exogenous genes. The principles or advantages and dis- advantages of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, or its potential problems and condition optimizations in tests were introduced in this study, and then the appli- cation and prospect of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in study on plants were also been discussed.

Identification of circulating miRNA biomarkers based on global quantitative real-time PCR profiling

MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are small noncoding RNAs （18-25 nucleotides） that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of miRNAs in the blood circulation. Deregulation of miRNAs i n serum or plasma has been associated with many diseases including cancers and cardiovascular diseases, suggesting the possible use of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers. However, the detection of the small amount of miRNAs found in serum or plasma requires a method with high sensitivity and accuracy. Therefore, the current study describes polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-based methods for measuring circulating miRNAs. Briefly, the procedure involves four major steps： （1） sample collection and preparation; （2） global miRNAs profiling using quantitative real-time PCR （qRT-PCR）; （3） data normalization and analysis; and （4） selection and validation of miRNA biomarkers. In conclusion, qRT-PCR is a promising method for profiling of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers.

Reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis and quantitative expression of P5CS in Agropyron mongolicum under drought stress

Reference genes, stably expressing in different tissues and cells, are commonly used as the references in expression analysis. Selecting the optimum reference gene is crucial to the success of experiments. In this study, the expression stabilities of nine common reference genes, including ACT2, 18 S r RNA, APRT, EF-1α, RNA POL II, TUBα, TUBβ, GAPDH and TLF of Agropyron mongolicum, were studied under drought condition. Among them, 18 S r RNA was found to be the most optimum reference gene under drought stress by the analyzing of ge Norm and Norm Finder software. Quantitative expression levels of P5 CS using 18 S r RNA as the reference gene, and proline contents under drought stress in A. mongolicum were further operated, and we found the expression level of P5 CS gene and proline content had a significantly positive relationship（R^2=0.7763, P〈0.05）. This study established and validated 18 S r RNA as the reference genes in A. mongolicum under drought stress, providing a powerful tool for the quantitative expression analysis of drought genes in A. mongolicum.

Quantification of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in enrichment cultures by quantitative competitive PCR

The anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing （ANAMMOX） bacteria were enriched from a sequencing batch biofilm reactor （SBBR）. A quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction （QC-PCR） system was successfully developed to detect and quantify ANAMMOX bacteria in environmental samples. For QC-PCR system, PCR primer sets targeting 16S ribosomal RNA genes of ANAMMOX bacteria were designed and used. The quantification range of this system was 4 orders of magnitude, from 10^3 to 10^6 copies per PCR, corresponding to the detection limit of 300 target copies per mL. A 312-bp internal standard was constructed, which showed very similar amplification efficiency with the target amxC fragment （349 bp） over 4 orders of magnitude （10^3-10^6）. The linear regressions were obtained with R^2 of 0.9824 for 10^3 copies, 0.9882 for 10^4 copies, 0.9857 for 10^5 copies and 0.9899 for 10^6 copies, respectively. Using this method, ANAMMOX bacteria were quantified in a shortcut nitrification/denitrification-anammox system which was set for piggery wastewater treatment.

Detection of Ratoon Stunting Disease in Virus-free Seedcane via Real-time Fluorescence Quantitative PCR

This study was to develop the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technique for detecting the ratoon stunting disease （RSD） in virus-free seedcane seedlings. Healthy tissue culture seedlings were obtained from six plants of sugarcane ROC22, which had been confirmed RSD-positive by detecting the sugarcane juice, by employing the sugarcane seedlings production protocol. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect RSD pathogens in tissue culture sam- pies. The results showed that target fragment of RSD pathogens was not found in all 10 samples in real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with the Ct values of 37 - 39. The healthy tissue culture sugarcane seedlings do not carry RSD pathogens, indicating that adopting healthy seedcane seedlings production technique could thoroughly get rid of RSD pathogens.

Evaluation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis in Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum Under Hypoxic Stress

Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)has been widely used for gene expression analysis,and selection of reference genes is a key point to obtain accurate results.To find out optimal reference genes for qRT-PCR in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in response to hypoxia,different tissues were used and compared to evaluate the stability of candidate reference genes under low oxygen stress(DO 0.5mgL^(−1) and DO 2.0mgL^(−1))and normal condition(DO 7.5mgL^(−1)).Seven candidate reference genes were selected to evaluate the stability of their expression levels.The reference genes were evaluated by Delta Ct,BestKeeper,NormFinder and geNorm,and then screened by RefFinder calculation.Under hypoxic stress of 0.5mgL^(−1),the most suitable reference gene for gill and hepatopancreas was RPL31,and the optimal reference genes for axe foot and adductor muscle were TUB and HIS,respectively.For hypoxic stress of 2.0mgL^(−1),the most stable reference gene for gill and hepatopancreas was RPL31,and the optimal reference genes for axe foot and adductor muscle were RPS23 and EF1A,respectively.At the normal condition,HIS and EF1A were identified as the optimal internal reference genes in gill and hepatopancreas respectively,and GFRP2 was the best internal reference gene for axe foot and adductor muscle.The present findings will provide important basis for the selection of reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis of gene expression level in bivalves under hypoxic stress,which might be helpful for the analysis of other molluscs too.

三疣梭子蟹附肢再生过程中qRT-PCR内参基因的筛选与Wnt7b表达研究应用

为筛选三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)附肢再生过程中的最适内参基因,以附肢再生不同阶段的三疣梭子蟹为研究对象,利用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)对细胞骨架蛋白基因(β-actin)、甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶基因(GAPDH)、18S rRNA(18S)、转录延伸因子基因(EF1α)、核糖体蛋白L18基因(RPL18)、细胞色素C氧化酶基因(COX)和组蛋白基因(HIS)共7个候选内参基因在肌肉、眼柄、血淋巴、肝胰腺、鳃、心脏和再生附肢共7种组织中的表达水平进行检测,并利用△Ct、geNorm、NormFinder和BestKeeper程序对候选内参基因的稳定性进行评价,筛选出合适的内参,最后以最适内参基因作为参考,分析再生相关基因Wnt7b的表达水平。结果显示,在不同组织中综合稳定性最好的是RPL18,而在不同再生阶段的再生附肢中β-actin和RPL18基因做双内参基因更适合。以RPL18和β-actin作双内参基因研究Wnt7b的表达水平时发现,Wnt7b基因在三疣梭子蟹附肢再生过程中的表达呈先上升后下降再上升的趋势;Wnt7b基因在三疣梭子蟹各组织中均有表达,除再生附肢和血淋巴外其他组织中的表达量都较低。本研究结果为甲壳类再生发育相关研究内参基因的选择及分子调控机制研究提供了参考。

Real-time fluorescent quantitative immuno-PCR method for determination of fluoranthene in water samples with a molecular beacon

A reliable and sensitive competitive real-time fluorescent quantitative immuno-PCR （RTFQ-IPCR） assay using a molecular beacon was developed for the determination of trace fluoranthene （FL） in the environment.Under optimized assay conditions,FL can be determined in the concentration range from 1 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL,with y=0.194x ＋ 7.859,and a correlation coefficient of 0.967 was identified,with a detection limit of 0.6 fg/mL.Environmental water samples were successfully analyzed,recovery was between 90% and 116%,with intra-day relative standard deviation （RSD） of 6.7%-12.8% and inter-day RSD of 8.4%-15.2%.The results obtained from RTFQ-IPCR were confirmed by ELISA,showing good accuracy and suitability to analyze FL in field samples.As a highly sensitive method,the molecular beacon-based RTFQ-IPCR is acceptable and promising for providing reliable test results to make environmental decisions.