Selection of reference genes for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR in Robinia pseudoacacia L. under drought conditions

UDC 631.52
DOI: 10.34736/FNC.2024.127.4.006.43-47
Anna Vadimovna Tretyakova, e-mail: tretaykova@vfanc.ru, research engineer, ORCID: 0009-0001-4478-4711
Polina Alekseevna Zybinskaya, research engineer, ORCID: 0000-0002-7493-1110
Krylov Pavel Andreevich, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), leading researcher, ORCID: 0000-0001-9587-5886
Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences» (FSC of Agroecology RAS), e-mail: info@vfanc.ru, 400062, Universitetskiy Prospekt, 97, Volgograd, Russia
Abstract. Robinia pseudoacacia L., or black locust, is a valuable tree species known for its rapid growth in drought conditions. Due to its adaptation to diverse climates, R. pseudoacacia is widely used in agroforestry to combat soil erosion, restore land, strengthen sand, and increase pasture productivity. However, to effectively utilize R. pseudoacacia in drought conditions, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying its adaptation to this stressor. One of the key tools for investigating these mechanisms is reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). To achieve accurate results, it is crucial to select appropriate reference genes to normalize the expression data of genes involved in stress response. The aim of this study is to identify the most suitable reference genes for quantitative gene expression analysis in R. pseudoacacia using RT-qPCR. An analysis was performed via RT-qPCR to evaluate the stability of expression of several housekeeping genes under simulated soil drought in laboratory conditions. Based on gene expression stability data analyzed with RefFinder, one gene was identified as the most stable under drought conditions. Results from various algorithms indicated that ACT_v2 is the most stable reference gene for R. pseudoacacia under drought conditions, while ACT_v1 showed the least stability
Keywords:: gene expression, reference gene, RT-qPCR, drought, desertification, Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Funding: This research was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation No. FNFE-2022-0022, 'Search and management of gene expression patterns in forest and cultivated plants responsible for adaptation to adverse environmental factors and productivity'.
Citation:: Tretyakova A. V., Zybinskaya P. A., Krylov P. А. Selection of reference genes for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR in Robinia pseudoacacia L. under drought conditions // Scientific Agronomy Journal. 2024. 4(127): 43-47. DOI: 10.34736/FNC.2024.127.4.006.43-47.