Validation of the Reference Genes for the Gene Expression Studies in Different Cell Lines of Pig

Reference genes for Eucalyptus spp. under Beauveria bassiana inoculation and subsequently infestation by the galling wasp Leptocybe invasa

Relative gene expression analysis through RT-qPCR is an important molecular technique that helps understanding different molecular mechanisms, such as the plant defense response to insect pests. However, the use of RT-qPCR for gene expression analysis can be affected by factors that directly affect the reliability of the results. Among these factors, the appropriate choice of reference genes is crucial and can strongly impact RT-qPCR relative gene expression analyses, highlighting the importance in correctly choosing the most suitable genes for the success of the analysis. Thus, this study aimed to select and validate reference genes for relative gene expression studies through RT-qPCR in hybrids of Eucalyptus tereticornis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis (drought tolerant and susceptible to Leptocybe invasa) under conditions of inoculation by the Beauveria bassiana fungus and subsequent infestation by L. invasa. The expression level and stability of eleven candidate genes were evaluated. Stability was analyzed using the RefFinder tool, which integrates the geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and Delta-Ct algorithms. The selected reference genes were validated through the expression analysis of the transcriptional factor EcDREB2 (dehydration-responsive element-binding protein 2). For all treatments evaluated, EcPTB, EcPP2A-1, and EcEUC12 were the best reference genes. The triplets EcPTB/EcEUC12/EcUBP6, EcPP2A-1/EcEUC12/EcPTB, EcIDH/EcSAND/Ecα-TUB, EcPP2A-1/Ecα-TUB/EcPTB, and EcPP2A-1/EcUPL7/EcSAND were the best reference genes for the control plants, mother plants, plants inoculated with B. bassiana, plants infested with L. invasa, and plants inoculated with B. bassiana and subsequently infested with L. invasa, respectively. The best determined reference genes were used to normalize the RT-qPCR expression data for each experimental condition evaluated. The results emphasize the importance of this type of study to ensure the reliability of relative gene expression analyses. Furthermore, the findings of this study can be used as a basis for future research, comprising gene expression analysis of different eucalyptus metabolic pathways.

Selection and validation of reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) for PRRSV studies

Porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) are widely used for in vitro studies of porcine respiratory viruses. Gene expression in these cells is altered by viral infection and cellular immune response. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful technique for analyzing these changes. In order to obtain reliable quantitative RT-qPCR data and come to sound conclusions, stable reference genes are needed for normalization of target gene expression. In the present study, we evaluated the expression stability of nine reference genes in PAMs during cultivation and upon porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) inoculation. Using geNorm and NormFinder algorithms, we identified PSAP and GAPDH as the most stable reference genes under all experimental conditions. The selected reference genes were used for the normalization of CD163 expression under different conditions. This study demonstrates that selection of appropriate reference genes is essential for normalization and validation of RT-qPCR data across all experimental conditions. This study provides a new set of stable reference genes for future studies with porcine respiratory viruses in PAMs.