Validation of Zebrafish (<italic>Danio rerio</italic>) Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Normalization

The normalization of quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is important to obtain accurate gene expression data. The most common method for qRT-PCR normalization is to use reference, or housekeeping genes. However, there is emerging evidence that even reference genes can be regulated under different conditions. qRT-PCR has only recently been used in terms of zebrafish gene expression studies and there is no validated set of reference genes. This study characterizes the expression of nine possible reference genes during zebrafish embryonic development and in a zebrafish tissue panel. All nine reference genes exhibited variable expression. The beta-actin, EF1alpha and Rpl13alpha genes comprise a validated…

• MA
  Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust
• UO
  University of Auckland