Beta-actin cannot be used as a control for gene expression in ovine interstitial cells derived from heart valves.
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In gene expression studies, endogenous controls that are constitutively expressed (housekeeping genes) are commonly used to normalize for variations in cDNA synthesis efficiency. In the present study, a frequently used control gene, beta-actin, was examined in ovine heart valves to evaluate its applicability as a housekeeping gene for this tissue. METHODS: Interstitial cells (IC) of the four heart valves were isolated using the outgrowth explant method. Cells were cultured under different serum conditions (10% or 20% fetal bovine serum or 20% sheep serum) up to passage (P) 5. mRNA from fresh tissue and from cells at P0 and P5 was isolated, and expression of beta-actin determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). An identical control sample was used for each PCR and each gel electrophoresis. Data were expressed as a relative value of this control sample. RESULTS: beta-Actin expression in the aortic valve was significantly lower than in other valves. The mRNA level of beta-actin was four-fold lower in freshly isolated IC than in cultured IC. Once up-regulated by in-vitro culturing conditions, beta-actin expression did not change from P0 to P5. An important increase in the variation of beta-actin expression was observed in cultured cells as compared to fresh cells. Different serum conditions did not lead to different beta-actin levels. CONCLUSION: Due to the variation in expression, beta-actin cannot be used as a reference for gene expression of ovine-derived heart valve IC in culture.[1]References
- Beta-actin cannot be used as a control for gene expression in ovine interstitial cells derived from heart valves. Yperman, J., De Visscher, G., Holvoet, P., Flameng, W. J. Heart Valve Dis. (2004) [Pubmed]
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