title: Validation of potential reference genes for qPCR in maize across abiotic stresses, hormone treatments, and tissue types.
abstract: The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful and widely used technique for the measurement of gene expression. Reference genes, which serve as endogenous controls ensure that the results are accurate and reproducible, are vital for data normalization. To bolster the literature on reference gene selection in maize, ten candidate reference genes, including eight traditionally used internal control genes and two potential candidate genes from our microarray datasets, were evaluated for expression level in maize across abiotic stresses (cold, heat, salinity, and PEG), phytohormone treatments (abscisic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, and gibberellins), and different tissue types. Three analytical software packages, geNorm, NormFinder, and Bestkeeper, were used to assess the stability of reference gene expression. The results revealed that elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α), tubulin beta (β-TUB), cyclophilin (CYP), and eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (EIF4A) were the most reliable reference genes for overall gene expression normalization in maize, while GRP (Glycine-rich RNA-binding protein), GLU1(beta-glucosidase), and UBQ9 (ubiquitin 9) were the least stable and most unsuitable genes. In addition, the suitability of EF1α, β-TUB, and their combination as reference genes was confirmed by validating the expression of WRKY50 in various samples. The current study indicates the appropriate reference genes for the urgent requirement of gene expression normalization in maize across certain abiotic stresses, hormones, and tissue types.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Yueai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Chenlu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Shibin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Hailan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Moju
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Guangtang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Tingzhao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding of Maize in Southwest China of Agricultural Department, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Suzhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D021983:Cyclophilins / Q000235:genetics*; D055864:Droughts; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects*; D020043:Genes, Essential / Q000187:drug effects; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000494:pharmacology; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D003517:Cyclopentanes; D005030:Ethylenes; D005875:Gibberellins; D054883:Oxylipins; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1; C011006:jasmonic acid; D000040:Abscisic Acid; C036216:ethylene; D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A; D021983:Cyclophilins; D020156:Salicylic Acid