Reference Genes for the Canine Intervertebral Disc: essential knowledge for gene expression research

Abstract

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disease is a disease common to dogs, especially chondrodystrophic dogs (dogs with short legs compared to their body height). In IVD disease the tissues of the intervertebral disc are degenerating which leads to loss of function and degeneration. To find a cure for the disease this study focuses on the molecular pathways playing an important role in IVD disease, which is done by determining a set of 15 reference genes which can be used in further studies. These reference genes will be assessed by using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) method with a SYBRgreen dye. A total of 42 samples were used from dogs of different breed and disease state (diseased/healthy), from which 39 samples remained for analysis. The qPCR data were analysed using the software programs geNorm and NormFinder. Results from the analysis showed that the combination of RPS19, SPRP, HPRT and YWHAZ would be the best choice when looking at the whole IVD.