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.

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.

Synchronous Detection of DNA/RNA of Four Shrimp Viruses by Real-time Fluorescence Quantitative RT-PCR

[ Objective] This study aimed to establish a simultaneous detection method of shrimp viruses by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR, to improve the efficiency of inspection and quarantine. [ Method] A novel real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR assay was established and optimized for simultaneously detecting DNA/RNA of four shrimp viruses （WSSV, IHHNV, TSV and YHV ）. [ Result] The optimized real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR system gener- ated typical amplification curves with high amplification efficiencies （E = 1.06, 1.07, 0.92 and 0.92, respectively）, good hnear relationship （ r = 1 ）, uniform repeatability （ standard deviation = 0.05 - 0.46 ; variation coefficient = 0.26% - 1.62% ） and high sensitivity, exhibiting no significant differences compared with re- al-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （average error of Ct value = 0.04 -0.40; T = 0.53 -2.50; P 〉 0.05 ）. The total detection time was about 1 h. [ Conclusion] The optimized real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR system can be used for rapid detection of WSSV, IHHNV, TSV and YHV.

Detection and clinical significance of multidrug resistance-1 mRNA in bone marrow cells in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR

Objective： Multidrug resistance（MDR） is one of the most important reasons for treatment failure and recurrence of acute leukemia. Its manifestations are different in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia（ALL） which may be due to different detection methods. This study was to detect the expression of MDR1 mRNA in bone marrow cells of children with ALL by real-time fluorescence- quantitative reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction（FQ-RT-PCR）, and combine minimal residual desease（MRD） detection by flow cytometry（FCM） and to study their relationship with treatment response and prognosis of ALL. Methods：The MDR1 mRNA levels in bone marrow cells from 67 children with ALL[28 had newly diagnosed disease, 27 had achieved complete remission（CR）, 12 recurrent] and 22 children without leukemia were detected by FQ-RT-PCR. MRD was detected by FCM. The patients were observed for 9-101 months, with a median of 64 months. Results：Standard curves of human MDR1 and GAPDH genes were constructed successfully. MDR1 mRNA was detected in all children with a positive rate of 100%. The mRNA level of MDR1 was similar among the newly diagnosed ALL group, CR group, and control group（P 〉 0.05）, but significantly higher in the recurrence group than that in newly diagnosed disease group and control group（0.50 ± 0.55 vs. 0.09 ± 0.26 and 0.12 ± 0.23, P〈 0.05）. 54 ALL patients were followed up, and it was found that MDR1 mRNA level was significantly higher in ALL patients within 3 years duration than that of ALL patients with 3-6 years and over 6 years duration（0.63 ± 0.56 vs. 0.11 ± 0.12 and 0.04 ± 0.06, P〈 0.01）. For the 28 children with newly diagnosed disease, the MDR1 mRNA level was similar between WBC 〉 50 ~ 109 group and WBC〈50 × 10^9 group（P〉 0.05）. In the 33 CR patients, the MDR1 mRNA level was significantly higher in MRD〉10a group than that in MRD〈10a group（0.39 ± 0.47 vs. 0.03 ± 0.03, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion：The sensitivity and specificity of FQ-RT-PCR in detecting MDR1 mRNA in bone marrowy cells of children with ALL patients are high. MDR1 mRNA is expressed in children with and without leukemia. MDR1 mRNA is highly expressed in the CR ALL patients with high MRD, recurrence and short duration（within 3 years）. Monitoring MRD and the MDR1 mRNA level might be helpful for individual treatment.

TaqMan real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR in detection of macrophage inflammatory protein-2γ mRNA in myocarditis murine

Objective: To study the role of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2γ in myocarditis pathogenesis in BALB/c mice. Methods: The relationship between the progression of Coxsarckie virus B3(CVB3) viral myocarditis and experimental autoimmune myocarditis and MIP-2γ mRNA expression in mouse was studied by TaqMan real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. Results: MIP-2γ mRNA expression rose on 3 to 5 d after CVB3 infection, reached peak on 7 d, and returned to normal level until 14 d, which corresponded well with the disease course. The MIP-2γ mRNA expression level rose significantly on the day 18 d after immunization with porcine cardiac myosin, which was consistent with pathological examination. Conclusion: MIP-2γ may be involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis.

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。

Establishment of a Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative RTPCR Method for Detecting NP Gene of Class Ⅰ Newcastle Disease Virus(NDV)

Newcastle disease( ND) is one of the most serious infectious diseases that infect the poultry industry.There is only one serotype of Newcastle disease virus( NDV),but NDVs can be divided into two distinct classes( class Ⅰ,and class Ⅱ) according to their genetic relationship.To develop a method for rapid quantitative detection of class Ⅰ NDV,a pair of primers and a TaqM an probe were designed and synthesized according to the conservative sequence of NP gene of class Ⅰ NDV.The positive recombinant plasmid harboring NP gene of JS-18-05 isolate was used as a positive template to establish the standard curve.A real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR method was established for rapid detection of class Ⅰ NDV with strong specificity,high sensitivity and good repeatability.The established method exhibited a good linear relationship within the concentration of 102 to 108 copies of NDV,by which 1 μl of 10 copy of NDV nucleic acid could be detected in the initial template.Compared with conventional virus isolation methods,the established method had similar sensitivity and led to the same results in detecting33 class Ⅰ,class Ⅱ NDV isolates.The study provided the basis for rapid quantitative detection of class Ⅰ NDVs and further clarification of their pathogenicity and pathogenic mechanism in poultry.

Establishment and Modification of Ninety-seven Pneumococcal Serotyping Assays Based on Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To establish and modify quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)-based serotyping assays to distinguish 97 pneumococcal serotypes.Methods A database of capsular polysaccharide(cps)loci sequences was generated,covering 97 pneumococcal serotypes.Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the cps loci structure and target genes related to different pneumococcal serotypes with specific SNPs.A total of 27 novel qPCR serotyping assay primers and probes were established based on qPCR,while 27 recombinant plasmids containing serotype-specific DNA sequence fragments were constructed as reference target sequences to examine the specificity and sensitivity of the qPCR assay.A panel of pneumococcal reference strains was employed to evaluate the capability of pneumococcal serotyping.Results A total of 97 pneumococcal serotyping assays based on qPCR were established and modified,which included 64 serotypes previously reported as well as an additional 33 serotypes.Twenty-seven novel qPCR serotyping target sequences were implemented in the pneumococcal qPCR serotyping system.A total of 97 pneumococcal serotypes,which included 52 individual serotypes and 45 serotypes belonging to 20 serogroups,could not be identified as individual serotypes.The sensitivity of qPCR assays based on 27 target sequences was 1–100 copies/μL.The specificity of the qPCR assays was 100%,which were tested by a panel of 90 serotypes of the pneumococcal reference strains.Conclusion A total of 27 novel qPCR assays were established and modified to analyze 97pneumococcal serotypes.

建立检测猕猴三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运蛋白G2的mRNA相对表达水平的RT-qPCR方法

目的本研究旨在建立一种实时荧光定量PCR方法,用于检测猕猴三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运蛋白G2(adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter protein G2,ABCG2)mRNA的基因转录水平。方法使用NCBI上GenBank数据库猕猴(Macaca mulatta)的ABCG2核苷酸序列号NM_001032919.1及内参GAPDH核苷酸序列号NM_001195426.1,借助Primer premier 5.0软件设计PCR引物。提取猕猴新鲜肾组织的总RNA,并反转录合成cDNA。接着,利用PCR引物进行实时荧光定量PCR扩增,并根据反应体系中荧光的变化情况定量分析ABCG2的mRNA相对表达水平。结果PCR产物测序结果显示,扩增的ABCG2和GAPDH核苷酸序列与NCBI上猕猴的序列同源性分别为90.91%和91.14%。ABCG2和GAPDH的扩增效率均达到80%~120%,实时荧光定量PCR标准曲线的熔解曲线为单峰,R2接近1。结论本研究建立的检测猕猴ABCG2 mRNA实时荧光定量检测方法,为研究高尿酸血症的发病机制以及新药开发奠定基础。

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

山羊地方性鼻内肿瘤病毒TaqMan荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立及应用

山羊地方性鼻内肿瘤(enzootic nasal tumor, ENT)是山羊的病毒性传染病,由山羊地方性鼻内肿瘤病毒(enzootic nasal tumor virus of goats, ENTV-2)所引起,感染后可以导致山羊的鼻道筛骨上皮细胞发生不可逆的癌变,已在世界范围内广泛存在,对山羊养殖业造成严重的经济损失。为建立快速、准确且能定量分析ENTV-2的检测方法,本研究根据GenBank上发布的ENTV-2 env基因(MT254061.1)保守区域设计引物和TaqMan探针,建立ENTV-2 TaqMan探针荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法,并对其特异性、灵敏性、重复性与临床检测效果进行验证。结果显示,重组质粒标准品模板浓度为6.30×10^(2)~6.30×10^(7) copies·μL^(-1)呈现良好的线性关系,相关系数R^(2)为0.996 5,扩增效率为110%,线性方程的斜率为-2.953,最低检测限度为6.30×10^(1) copies·μL^(-1);组内变异系数和组间变异系数均小于2%,重复性好;与口蹄疫病毒((foot-and-mouth disease virus, FMDV)、小反刍兽疫病毒(peste des petits ruminants virus, PPRV)、蓝舌病毒(bluetongue virus)、羊内源性逆转录病毒(endogenous retroviruses)等均无交叉反应,表明该方法具有很好的特异性。利用本研究所建立的TaqMan探针实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法对29份临床样品进行检测,该方法较普通PCR方法的检出率更高。综上表明,本研究成功建立了ENTV-2 TaqMan探针实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法,为ENTV-2的快速诊断和流行病学调查提供技术手段。

鸽微RNA病毒实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立

旨在建立鸽微RNA病毒(pigeon megrivirus,PiMeV)实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法。本研究根据GenBank中PiMeVs序列特征设计特异性检测引物,从信鸽粪便中检测到PiMeV阳性(命名为PiMeV-CHN001株),并对其3 C基因进行核苷酸同源性比较和遗传进化分析,明确其基因特征后,设计特异性实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测(RT-qPCR)引物组,建立检测PiMeV的RT-qPCR方法。结果显示:PiMeV-CHN001株3 C基因全长为591 bp,编码197个氨基酸,和其他2株野鸽源PiMeV(MeV-B1株和MeV-B2株)核苷酸相似性分别为89.5%和92.0%。建立的检测PiMeV的RT-qPCR方法的标准曲线Y轴截距为37.93,斜率为-3.335,相关系数为1.00,扩增效率为99.4%。特异性强,仅PiMeV出现特异性扩增信号和特异性峰值[Tm值为(81.69±0.22)℃],对鸽源禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)、鸽源禽I型副黏病毒(pigeon paramyxovirus type I,PPMV-1)、鸽输血传播病毒(pigeon torque teno virus,PTTV)、鸽腺病毒(pigeon adenovirus,PiAd)及鸽圆环病毒(pigeon circovirus,PiCV)检测均未见特异性扩增信号;敏感性优,最低检测限为54.0拷贝·μL^(-1);重复性好,批内和批间变异系数均低于1.5%。用建立的检测方法对42份信鸽粪便样品进行检测,发现2份阳性样品(阳性率为4.76%)。本研究首次证实我国大陆地区信鸽中存在PiMeV,丰富了PiMeV宿主谱信息;建立的RT-qPCR方法为后续开展PiMeV流行病学研究提供支撑。

Establishment of Real-Time Quantitative PCR Method for the Determination of Transposon Copy Number in Cronobacter sakazakii

[Objective] This study aimed to establish a Real-Time quantitative PCR method for the determination of transposon copy number in C. sakazakii. [ Method ] With single-copy housekeeping gene atpD as the reference gene, recombinant plasmid containing both single-copy housekeeping gene atpD and EZ-TN5 transposon was constructed; based on the established standard curves for real-time quantitative detection of atpD gene and EZ-TN5 transposon, copy number of atpD gene and EZ-TN5 transpason in three C. sakazakii mutants was detected and the ratio was calculated. [ Result] Correlation coefficients of the standard curves for real-time quantitative detection of atpD gene and EZ-TN5 transposon were 0. 999 and 0.998, respectively ; the ratios of copy number of atpD gene and EZ-TN5 transposon in three C. sakazakii mutants were 0.98, 1.17 and 0.91, respectively, which indicates that EZ-TN5 transpeson in C. sakakii mutants is a single-copy. [ Conclusion] Real-time quantitative PCR method established in this study had high availability and could replace the Southern blot method to detect the copy num- ber of EZ-TN5 transposon in different bacteria.