Identification of housekeeping genes as references for quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis in Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a well-known method to quantify gene expression by comparing with the reference genes. Generally, housekeeping genes were set as references, as for their stable expression in varying conditions. Here, we try to evaluate few of such genes to identify suitable housekeeping genes as references for qRT-PCR analysis of gene expression in Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. This study evaluated the expression of four commonly used housekeeping genes, i.e. b-actin (ACTB), elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1a), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAPDH) and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), in gender difference, effects of tissue type, different developmental stages, chemical treatment of embryos/larvae with commonly used vehicles for administration and agents that represent known environmental toxicant. Rank ordering of expression stability was done using geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper algorithms. Results suggested that in the qRT-PCR test, in all the experimental conditions, EF-1a could be selected as reference gene when analysing a target gene. For the study of different development stages, ACTB could be a candidate as reference gene. For the studies associated with different gender and tissue types, EF-1a would be better targeted as reference gene. Meanwhile, in toxicant treatment, expression of EF-1a seems to be more stable than others and could be considered as reference gene. This study could provide useful guidelines that can be expected to aid M. anguillicaudatus researchers in their initial choice of housekeeping genes for future studies and enable more accurate normalization of gene expression data.