Selection of reference genes for gene expression studies in astrocytomas.

This study was aimed to test a panel of six housekeeping genes (GAPDH, HPRT1, POLR2A, RPLP0, ACTB, and H3F) so as to identify and validate the most suitable reference genes for expression studies in astrocytomas. GAPDH was the most stable and HPRT1 was the least stable reference gene. The effect of reference gene selection on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction data interpretation was demonstrated, normalizing the expression data of a selected gene of interest. Thus, GAPDH may be recommended for data normalization in gene expression studies in astrocytomas. Nevertheless, a preliminary validation of reference gene stability is required prior to every study.