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2575863 
Journal Article 
Selection of reference genes for gene expression studies in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) using qPCR 
Obrero, A; Die, JV; Román, B; Gómez, P; Nadal, S; González-Verdejo, CI 
2011 
Yes 
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
ISSN: 0021-8561
EISSN: 1520-5118 
59 
10 
5402-5411 
English 
21476515 
WOS:000290691300031 
The zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is an important food crop, the transcriptomics of which are a fundamental tool to accelerate the development of new varieties by breeders. However, the suitability of reference genes for data normalization in zucchini has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of 13 genes for their potential use as reference genes in quantitative real-time PCR. Assays were performed on 34 cDNA samples representing plants under different stresses and at different developmental stages. The application of geNorm and NormFinder software revealed that the use of a combination of UFP, EF-1A, RPL36aA, PP2A, and CAC genes for the different experimental sets was the best strategy for reliable normalization. In contrast, 18S rRNA and TUA were less stable and unsuitable for use as internal controls. These results provide the possibility to allow more accurate use of qPCR in this horticultural crop. 
Cucurbita pepo; qPCR; normalization; reference genes; zucchini