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Vasisth R, Gurao A, Chitkara M, Kumar G, Sriranga KR, Mukesh M, Dige MS, Singh P, Aggarwal RAK, Kataria RS. Selection of reference genes for normalizing gene expression data across seasons in spermatozoa of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2024; 68:1397-1409. [PMID: 38602552 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-024-02675-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Selection of the most stably expressed reference genes is key to monitoring accurate target gene expression across any tissue or cell type. The mRNA in spermatozoa stores valuable information related to changes in spermatogenesis due to variations in environmental conditions, especially during heat stress, which affects various sperm functions. Semen quality in buffalo bulls is significantly influenced by the seasons. In the study, a panel of nine genes was evaluated to identify the most stably expressed internal control gene (ICG) for the normalization of real-time gene expression data generated across various seasons for Murrah buffalo bulls' spermatozoa. Sperm cells were purified from the semen samples collected during different seasons, with temperature-humidity index (THI) ranging from 80.80 ± 1.47 (hot summer) to 55.88 ± 1.98 (winter), using the BoviPure™ gradient purification method. The RNA isolated from the purified spermatozoa fraction was quality checked prior to reverse transcription and subjected to qPCR (quantitative real-time PCR) based expression analysis. An automated 'endoGene' pipeline was employed to apply the geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper algorithms for data analysis. The result indicated that GAPDH and PP1A were the most stably expressed among the gene panel, whereas ATPSF1 and ACTB were the two least stable expressed reference genes. Further, the most suitable ICGs identified were validated by normalization of real time expression data of heat stress and sperm quality genes, HSFY2 and AKAP4, respectively. The genes identified would help in generating the most reliable results for the expression profiling of the genes dictating sperm quality and heat stress cope-up mechanism in buffalo spermatozoa, collected during different seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Vasisth
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
- ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Ankita Gurao
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Meenakshi Chitkara
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
- ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
- ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | | | - Manishi Mukesh
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | | | - Pawan Singh
- ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | | | - Ranjit Singh Kataria
- ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.
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Carels N. Assessing RNA-Seq Workflow Methodologies Using Shannon Entropy. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:482. [PMID: 39056677 PMCID: PMC11274087 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
RNA-seq faces persistent challenges due to the ongoing, expanding array of data processing workflows, none of which have yet achieved standardization to date. It is imperative to determine which method most effectively preserves biological facts. Here, we used Shannon entropy as a tool for depicting the biological status of a system. Thus, we assessed the measurement of Shannon entropy by several RNA-seq workflow approaches, such as DESeq2 and edgeR, but also by combining nine normalization methods with log2 fold change on paired samples of TCGA RNA-seq representing datasets of 515 patients and spanning 12 different cancer types with 5-year overall survival rates ranging from 20% to 98%. Our analysis revealed that TPM, RLE, and TMM normalization, coupled with a threshold of log2 fold change ≥1, for identifying differentially expressed genes, yielded the best results. We propose that Shannon entropy can serve as an objective metric for refining the optimization of RNA-seq workflows and mRNA sequencing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Carels
- Laboratory of Biological System Modeling, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
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3
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Promtang S, Sanguanphun T, Chalorak P, Pe LS, Niamnont N, Sobhon P, Meemon K. 2-Butoxytetrahydrofuran, Isolated from Holothuria scabra, Attenuates Aggregative and Oxidative Properties of α-Synuclein and Alleviates Its Toxicity in a Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Parkinson's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2182-2197. [PMID: 38726817 PMCID: PMC11157484 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aggregative α-synuclein and incurring oxidative stress are pivotal cascading events, leading to dopaminergic (DAergic) neuronal loss and contributing to clinical manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our previous study demonstrated that 2-butoxytetrahydrofuran (2-BTHF), isolated from Holothuria scabra (H. scabra), could inhibit amyloid-β aggregation and its ensuing toxicity, which leads to Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we found that 2-BTHF also attenuated the aggregative and oxidative activities of α-synuclein and lessened its toxicity in a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) PD model. Such worms treated with 100 μM of 2-BTHF showed substantial reductions in α-synuclein accumulation and DAergic neurodegeneration. Mechanistically, 2-BTHF, at this concentration, significantly decreased aggregation of monomeric α-synuclein and restored locomotion and dopamine-dependent behaviors. Molecular docking exhibited potential bindings of 2-BTHF to HSF-1 and DAF-16 transcription factors. Additionally, 2-BTHF significantly increased the mRNA transcripts of genes encoding proteins involved in proteostasis, including the molecular chaperones hsp-16.2 and hsp-16.49, the ubiquitination/SUMOylation-related ubc-9 gene, and the autophagy-related genes atg-7 and lgg-1. Transcriptomic profiling revealed an additional mechanism of 2-BTHF in α-synuclein-expressing worms, which showed upregulation of PPAR signaling cascades that mediated fatty acid metabolism. 2-BTHF significantly restored lipid deposition, upregulated the fat-7 gene, and enhanced gcs-1-mediated glutathione synthesis in the C. elegans PD model. Taken together, this study demonstrated that 2-BTHF could abrogate aggregative and oxidative properties of α-synuclein and attenuate its toxicity, thus providing a possible therapeutic application for the treatment of α-synuclein-induced PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukrit Promtang
- Molecular
Medicine Program, Multidisciplinary Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tanatcha Sanguanphun
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol
University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pawanrat Chalorak
- Department
of Radiological Technology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Allied
Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Laurence S. Pe
- Research
Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Nakorn Niamnont
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s
University of Technology Thonburi, Bang Mod, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
| | - Prasert Sobhon
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol
University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Krai Meemon
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol
University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Center for
Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, Mahidol
University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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4
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Cadonic IG, Heath JW, Dixon B, Craig PM. Diploid and triploid Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) have altered microRNA responses in immune tissues after infection with Vibrio anguillarum. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 48:101121. [PMID: 37634278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Production of sterile fishes through artificial retention of a third set of chromosomes (triploidy) is a sustainable alternative for aquaculture since it reduces escapee pressure on wild populations. However, these fishes have reduced survival in stressful conditions and in response to infection. In this study, the impact of Vibrio anguillarum infection on diploid and triploid Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was investigated to identify if there was any significant immune regulation by microRNAs (miRNA). Small RNAs from hindgut, head kidney, and spleen were sequenced to determine if miRNA transcript abundance was altered due to ploidy and infection in nine-month old full-sibling diploids and triploids. All three tissues had differentially expressed miRNA prior to infection, indicating subtle changes in epigenetic regulation due to increased ploidy. Additionally, miRNA were altered by infection, but there was only a difference in spleen miRNA expression between diploids and triploids at three days of infection. Furthermore, one miRNA (ssa-miR-2188-3p) was confirmed as having an altered response to infection in triploids compared to diploids, implicating potential immune dysregulation due to increased ploidy. The miRNAs identified in this study are predicted to target immune pathways, providing evidence for their importance in regulating responses to pathogens. This study is the first to investigate how increased ploidy alters miRNA expression in response to infection. Additionally, it provides evidence for epigenetic dysregulation in triploid fishes, which may contribute to their poor performance in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan G Cadonic
- Dept. of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. https://twitter.com/@IvanCadonic
| | - John W Heath
- Yellow Island Aquaculture Limited, Heriot Bay, BC. Canada
| | - Brian Dixon
- Dept. of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Paul M Craig
- Dept. of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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Kulkarni CC, Cholin SS, Bajpai AK, Ondrasek G, Mesta RK, Rathod S, Patil HB. Comparative Root Transcriptome Profiling and Gene Regulatory Network Analysis between Eastern and Western Carrot ( Daucus carota L.) Cultivars Reveals Candidate Genes for Vascular Tissue Patterning. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3449. [PMID: 37836190 PMCID: PMC10575051 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a highly consumed vegetable rich in carotenoids, known for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-protecting properties. While genetic and molecular studies have largely focused on wild and Western carrot cultivars (cvs), little is known about the evolutionary interactions between closely related Eastern and Western cvs. In this study, we conducted comparative transcriptome profiling of root tissues from Eastern (UHSBC-23-1) and Western (UHSBC-100) carrot cv. to better understand differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with storage root development and vascular cambium (VC) tissue patterning. Through reference-guided TopHat mapping, we achieved an average mapping rate of 73.87% and identified a total of 3544 DEGs (p < 0.05). Functional annotation and gene ontology classification revealed 97 functional categories, including 33 biological processes, 19 cellular components, 45 metabolic processes, and 26 KEGG pathways. Notably, Eastern cv. exhibited enrichment in cell wall, plant-pathogen interaction, and signal transduction terms, while Western cv. showed dominance in photosynthesis, metabolic process, and carbon metabolism terms. Moreover, constructed gene regulatory network (GRN) for both cvs. obtained orthologs with 1222 VC-responsive genes of Arabidopsis thaliana. In Western cv, GRN revealed VC-responsive gene clusters primarily associated with photosynthetic processes and carbon metabolism. In contrast, Eastern cv. exhibited a higher number of stress-responsive genes, and transcription factors (e.g., MYB15, WRKY46, AP2/ERF TF connected via signaling pathways with NAC036) were identified as master regulators of xylem vessel differentiation and secondary cell wall thickening. By elucidating the comparative transcriptome profiles of Eastern and Western cvs. for the first time, our study provides valuable insights into the differentially expressed genes involved in root development and VC tissue patterning. The identification of key regulatory genes and their roles in these processes represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the evolutionary relations and molecular mechanisms underlying secondary growth of carrot and regulation by vascular cambium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra C. Kulkarni
- Plant Molecular Biology Lab (DBT-BIOCARe), Department of Biotechnology & Crop Improvement, College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India;
- Kittur Rani Chennamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, Gokak 591218, Belgaum Dt., Karnataka, India
- University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India
| | - Sarvamangala S. Cholin
- Plant Molecular Biology Lab (DBT-BIOCARe), Department of Biotechnology & Crop Improvement, College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India;
- University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India
| | - Akhilesh K. Bajpai
- Shodhaka Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Electronic City, Phase-I, Bengaluru 560100, Karnataka, India
| | - Gabrijel Ondrasek
- Department of Soil Amelioration, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - R. K. Mesta
- University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India
| | - Santosha Rathod
- Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad 500030, Telangana, India
| | - H. B. Patil
- University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot 587103, Karnataka, India
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Borchel A, Eichner C, Øvergård AC. Mining Lepeophtheirus salmonis RNA-Seq data for qPCR reference genes and their application in Caligus elongatus. Exp Parasitol 2023; 248:108511. [PMID: 36921884 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus are two parasitic copepod species posing a significant threat to salmonid aquaculture. Consequently, several gene expression studies are executed each year to gain new knowledge and treatment strategies. Though, to enable accurate gene expression measurements by quantitative real time PCR, stable reference genes are needed. Previous studies have mainly focused on a few genes selected based on their function as housekeeping genes, as these are often stably expressed in various cells and tissues. In the present study, however, RNA-sequencing data from 127 L. salmonis samples from different life stages and diverse environmental conditions were used to identify new candidate reference genes displaying low variation. From this, six genes were selected, and the stability validated by qPCR on samples from different life stages. Since neither a genome nor comprehensive RNA sequencing data are available for C. elongatus, homologous genes to those identified for L. salmonis were identified within a C. elongatus transcriptome assembly and validated by qPCR in different life stages. Overall, the genes eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A (EIF1A) and serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) displayed the highest stability in L. salmonis, while the combination of PP1 and ribosomal protein S13 (RPS13) was found to have the highest stability in C. elongatus. These genes are well-suited reference genes for qPCR applications which allow for accurate normalization of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Borchel
- University of Bergen, SLRC-Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Pb. 7803, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Christiane Eichner
- University of Bergen, SLRC-Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Pb. 7803, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Aina-Cathrine Øvergård
- University of Bergen, SLRC-Sea Lice Research Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Pb. 7803, 5020, Bergen, Norway
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Ovcharova MA, Schelkunov MI, Geras’kina OV, Makarova NE, Sukhacheva MV, Martyanov SV, Nevolina ED, Zhurina MV, Feofanov AV, Botchkova EA, Plakunov VK, Gannesen AV. C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Acts as a Microorganism-Activated Regulator of the Skin Commensals Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes in Dual-Species Biofilms. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:436. [PMID: 36979128 PMCID: PMC10045295 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The effect of C-type natriuretic peptide in a concentration closer to the normal level in human blood plasma was studied on the mono-species and dual-species biofilms of the skin commensal bacteria Cutibacterium acnes HL043PA2 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC14990. Despite the marginal effect of the hormone on cutibacteria in mono-species biofilms, the presence of staphylococci in the community resulted in a global shift of the CNP effect, which appeared to increase the competitive properties of C. acnes, its proliferation and the metabolic activity of the community. S. epidermidis was mostly inhibited in the presence of CNP. Both bacteria had a significant impact on the gene expression levels revealed by RNA-seq. CNP did not affect the gene expression levels in mono-species cutibacterial biofilms; however, in the presence of staphylococci, five genes were differentially expressed in the presence of the hormone, including two ribosomal proteins and metal ABC transporter permease. In staphylococci, the Na-translocating system protein MpsB NADH-quinone oxidoreductase subunit L was downregulated in the dual-species biofilms in the presence of CNP, while in mono-species biofilms, two proteins of unknown function were downregulated. Hypothetically, at least one of the CNP mechanisms of action is via the competition for zinc, at least on cutibacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Ovcharova
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Mikhail I. Schelkunov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127051, Russia
| | - Olga V. Geras’kina
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119192, Russia
| | | | - Marina V. Sukhacheva
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Martyanov
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Ekaterina D. Nevolina
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Marina V. Zhurina
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Alexey V. Feofanov
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Botchkova
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Vladimir K. Plakunov
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Andrei V. Gannesen
- Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
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Zhao L, Yang H, Li X, Zhou Y, Liu T, Zhao Y. Transcriptome-based selection and validation of optimal reference genes in perirenal adipose developing of goat ( Capra hircus). Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1055866. [PMID: 36467654 PMCID: PMC9712442 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1055866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is mainly present in young mammals and is important for maintaining body temperature in neonatal mammals because of its ability to produce non-shivering thermogenesis. There is usually a large amount of BAT around the kidneys of newborn kids, but the BAT gradually "whiting" after birth. Screening and validating appropriate reference genes is a prerequisite for further studying the mechanism of goat brown adipose tissue "whiting" during the early stages. In this study, the expression stability of 17 candidate reference genes: 12 COPS8, SAP18, IGF2R, PARL, SNRNP200, ACTG1, CLTA, GANAB, GABARAP, PCBP2, CTSB, and CD151) selected based on previous transcriptome data as new candidate reference genes, 3 (PFDN5, CTNNB1, and EIF3M) recommended in previous studies, and 2 traditional reference genes (ACTB and GAPDH) was evaluated. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technology was used to detect the expression level of candidate reference genes during goat BAT "whiting". Four algorithms: Normfinder, geNorm, ΔCt method, and BestKeeper, and two comprehensive algorithms: ComprFinder and RefFinder, were used to analyze the stability of each candidate reference genes. GABARAP, CLTA, GAPDH, and ACTB were identified as the most stable reference genes, while CTNNB1, CTSB, and EIF3M were the least stable. Moreover, two randomly selected target genes IDH2 and RBP4, were effectively normalized using the selected most stable reference genes. These findings collectively suggest that GABARAP, CLTA, GAPDH, and ACTB are relatively stable reference genes that can potentially be used for the development of perirenal fat in goats.
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Norman O, Koivunen J, Mäki JM, Pihlajaniemi T, Heikkinen A. Identification of suitable reference genes for normalization of reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in the fibrotic phase of the bleomycin mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276215. [PMID: 36251700 PMCID: PMC9576074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease with a poor prognosis and few treatment options. In the most widely used experimental model for this disease, bleomycin is administered into the lungs of mice, causing a reaction of inflammation and consequent fibrosis that resembles the progression of human IPF. The inflammation and fibrosis together induce changes in gene expression that can be analyzed with reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), in which accurate normalization with a set of stably expressed reference genes is critical for obtaining reliable results. This work compares ten commonly used candidate reference genes in the late, fibrotic phase of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and ranks them from the most to the least stable using NormFinder and geNorm. Sdha, Polr2a and Hprt were identified as the best performing and least variable reference genes when alternating between normal and fibrotic conditions. In order to validate the findings, we investigated the expression of Tnf and Col1a1, representing the hallmarks of inflammation and fibrotic changes, respectively. With the best three genes as references, both were found to be upregulated relative to untreated controls, unlike the situation when analyzed solely with Gapdh, a commonly used reference gene. We therefore recommend Sdha, Polr2a and Hprt as reference genes for RT-qPCR in the 4-week bleomycin challenge that represents the late fibrotic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula Norman
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jarkko Koivunen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Joni M. Mäki
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- * E-mail:
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