Wet-lab tested microRNA assays for qPCR studies with SYBR® Green and DNA primers in pig tissues.

MicroRNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that are involved in several biological processes including those that mediate disease pathophysiology. Hence, quantifying microRNA expression levels can provide important and novel insights into disease biology. In recent years, the pig has emerged as an excellent large animal model for studying human diseases and conditions (e.g. obesity) due to similarities in organ size, gastro-intestinal tract, metabolism, immune response, genetics and the availability of relevant tissues that are not normally easily available in humans. We have previously developed two useful tools in the field of microRNA quantitative real time PCR (qPCR): 1) a very specific, sensitive and simple qPCR method based on DNA primers, MiR-specific qPCR; and 2) the free primer-design software miRprimer. The present study integrates in a publicly accessible database all available information on validated porcine microRNA qPCR assays that have utilized these tools. Due to the high phylogenetic conservation in microRNA sequence between pig, humans and other domestic species this database is a very valuable resource for the broader scientist community who are working on microRNAs and want to use readily tested qPCR assays in a simple and cost-effective manner.