Validation of reference genes aiming accurate normalization of qPCR data in soybean upon nematode parasitism and insect attack

Vívian de Jesus Miranda, Roberta Ramos Coelho, Antônio Américo Barbosa Viana, Osmundo Brilhante de Oliveira Neto, Regina Maria Dechechi Gomes Carneiro, Thales Lima Rocha, Maria Fatima Grossi de Sa, Rodrigo Rocha Fragoso

Soybean pathogens and pests reduce grain production worldwide. Biotic interaction cause extensive changes in plant gene expression profile and the data produced by functional genomics studies need validation, usually done by quantitative PCR. Nevertheless, this technique relies on accurate normalization which, in turn, depends upon the proper selection of stable reference genes for each experimental condition. To date, only a few studies were performed to validate reference genes in soybean subjected to biotic stress. Here, we report reference genes validation in soybean during root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) parasitism and velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) attack.