Housekeeping gene selection for Real Time-PCR normalization in female Hop (Humulus lupulus L) tissues

The variability of transcript accumulation of six genes encoding chloropyll-a/b (Chla/b) binding protein, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Hydride (NADH) dehydrogenase, Histone H3 (H3); DEAD-box RNA helicase 1 (DRH1) and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and of the 7SL component of the. signal recognition particle (7SL-RNA), was estimated in leaves and female inflorescences of the two hop cultivars, White Golding and Admiral at different developmental stages by RT-PCR. The value of these genes as internal, normalization controls in gene transcript accumulation studies was assessed. The combination of the three housekeeping genes DRH1, GAPDH and 7SL-RNA as internal standards for hop, provided reliable results in the quantitative analysis of the transcript, accumulation of Hua Enhancer 1 transcription factor (HEN1) homologue in hop tissues and is recommended for future studies of gene expression in female hop tissues.