Journal of Applied Genetics 49(3), 2008, pp. 263-265

Verification of reference genes for relative quantification of gene expression by real-time reverse transcription PCR in the pig

Katerina Svobodova, Karel Bilek, Ales Knoll

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a set of reliable reference genes for quantification of mRNA expression in the pig. The mRNA expression stability in pig tissues was studied for 4 genes: EEF1A1, GAPDH, HPRT1 and TOP2B. The level of expression was characterized by Ct values for each gene and each tissue. By using the geNorm algorithm, the stability of the reference genes was determined in the diaphragm, heart, kidney, liver, lungs, longissimus muscle, and spleen. On the basis of this information, suitable reference genes can be selected for mRNA expression studies in relevant pig tissues.

Key words: gene stability, real-time PCR, reference genes, Sus scrofa.

Correspondence: K. Svobodova, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic; e-mail: kat.svobodova@centrum.cz