GAPDH, β-actin and β2-microglobulin, as three common reference genes, are not reliable for gene expression studies in equine adipose- and marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research article addresses the reliability of GAPDH, β-actin, and β2-microglobulin reference genes in gene expression studies on equine (horse) adipose- and marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The article concludes that these reference genes differ considerably in their expression across the two types of MSCs, making them unreliable for comparative gene expression analysis.
Study Purpose and Methodology
In molecular biology, quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is a significant technique for analyzing gene expression. An essential step in this process is the choice of an appropriate internal control gene for data normalization. Traditionally, three common reference genes—GAPDH, β-actin, and β2-microglobulin—are used for data normalization. However, the researchers sought to understand if the source of MSCs—in this case, equine bone marrow and adipose tissue—impacts the expression levels of these reference genes.
- Adipose tissue and bone marrow samples were collected from three mares, and MSCs were then isolated and cultured.
- Upon reaching the 3rd culture passage (P3), the total RNA from these cells was extracted for cDNA synthesis.
- Quantitative real-time PCR was then used to analyze these cDNAs.
- A melting curve analysis was carried out to confirm the specificity of the PCR amplification.
Findings of the Study
The study’s results revealed a significant difference in the expression levels of the examined reference genes between adipose tissue-derived and bone marrow-derived MSCs.
- Specifically, the levels of GAPDH were significantly different in the two types of MSCs (p < 0.05).
- The expression levels of β-actin and B2M were substantially higher in bone marrow-derived MSCs than in adipose tissue-derived MSCs (P < 0.001 for β-actin and P < 0.006 for B2M).
- The fold changes in expression levels of GAPDH, β-actin, and B2M in adipose tissue-derived MSCs compared to bone marrow-derived MSCs were 2.38, 6.76, and 7.76, respectively.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded that GAPDH, β-actin, and B2M are not reliable reference genes for comparative gene expression analysis conducted on MSCs derived from equine bone marrow and adipose tissue. This stems from the significant differences in the levels of these genes’ expression in the two types of MSCs, undermining their typical use as consistent reference points in gene expression studies.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ; Embryonic and Stem Cell Biology and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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