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Data Normalization Strategies for MicroRNA Quantification

Schwarzenbach, Heidi, da Silva, Andreia Machado, Calin, George, Pantel, Klaus·2015·Clinical Chemistry
DOI 10.1373/clinchem.2015.239459PMC PMC4890630
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Different technologies, such as quantitative real-time PCR or microarrays, have been developed to measure microRNA (miRNA) expression levels. Quantification of miRNA transcripts implicates data normalization using endogenous and exogenous reference genes for data correction. However, there is no consensus about an optimal normalization strategy. The choice of a reference gene remains problematic and can have a serious impact on the actual available transcript levels and, consequently, on the biological interpretation of data. CONTENT: In this review article we discuss the reliability of the use of small RNAs, commonly reported in the literature as miRNA expression normalizers, and compare different strategies used for data normalization. SUMMARY: A workflow strategy is proposed for normalization of miRNA expression data in an attempt to provide a basis for the establishment of a global standard procedure that will allow comparison across studies.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Schwarzenbach, H., da Silva, A. M., Calin, G., & Pantel, K.
Affiliations
  • Department of Tumour Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • Department of Experimental Therapeutics and The Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Venue
Clinical Chemistry
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2015-11-01
Volume
61
Issue
11
Pages
1333-1342
ISSN
  • 0009-9147
  • 1530-8561
DOI
10.1373/clinchem.2015.239459
PMC
PMC4890630
Cited by
426
References
5
Language
en
Licence
academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
Funders
  • FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/85968/2012)
  • NIH/NCI (1UH2TR00943-01, 1 R01 CA182905-01)
  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (P50 CA093459)
  • Melanoma Foundation (2P50CA127001)

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