Reference genes


This article discusses the specific topic of reference genes. For a more general list of housekeeping genes see housekeeping genes
Reference genes are expressed in all cells of an organism under normal and patho-physiological conditions. Although some housekeeping genes are expressed at relatively constant levels in most non-pathological situations, other housekeeping genes may vary depending on experimental conditions.
Although the terms "housekeeping gene" and "reference gene" are used somewhat interchangeably, caution must be used in selecting genes for reference purposes.
This is a list of recommended housekeeping genes that may be used for reference purposes:
GeneAccess no.DescriptionChromosome
C1orf43NM_015449Chromosome 1 open reading frame 43chr1
CHMP2ANM_014453Charged multivesicular body protein 2Achr19
EMC7NM_020154ER membrane protein complex subunit 7chr15
GPINM_000175Glucose-6-phosphate isomerasechr19
PSMB2NM_002794Proteasome subunit beta type 2chr1
PSMB4NM_002796Proteasome subunit beta type 4chr1
RAB7ANM_004637Member RAS oncogene familychr3
REEP5NM_005669Receptor accessory protein 5chr5
SNRPD3NM_004175Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein D3chr22
VCPNM_007126Valosin containing proteinchr9
VPS29NM_016226Vacuolar protein sorting 29 homologchr12

The following represent genes that should probably not be used for reference purposes: GUSB, RPLP0, TFRC, GAPDH, HSP90, and β-actin. Although they were once considered as "housekeeping genes," recent data suggests that they are not as reliable as once thought.