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The IDT Customer Care Team frequently receives calls during which representatives are asked to define qPCR terminology. In this article, we provide an introduction to some of the most commonly used terms and distinctions encountered in qPCR experiments.
Real-time PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR)
Real-Time PCR refers to the fact that measurements are made in real time, during the amplification of the target DNA. qPCR introduces the idea that the data provides quantification of the target DNA. That said, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Real-time PCR and qPCR reactions differ from a regular PCR reactions since a fluorophore is released during the amplification, the amount of which correlates to the amount of template copies created. Since the number of copies theoretically doubles in each cycle, when comparing two amplifications, the assay with more copies of a template in a sample will amplify faster and release quantifiable fluorescence in an early cycle. In contrast, a lower amount of beginning template will take more cycles to reach the same fluorescence intensity.
There are two options for analyzing qPCR results, relative quantification or absolute quantification. Relative quantification compares the amplification curve to an internal standard mRNA or DNA; whereas, absolute quantification interpolates the amount of target based on a standard curve created from serial dilutions of a known amount of DNA or RNA.
Quantification cycle (Cq) or threshold cycle (Ct)
The cycle at which fluorescence from amplification exceeds the background fluorescence has been referred to as threshold cycle (Ct), crossing point (Cp), and take-off point (TOF) by different instrument manufacturers, but is now standardized by the MIQE guidelines (see Additional Resources for more information) as the quantification cycle. A lower Cq correlates with higher target expression in a sample.
5’ nuclease vs. intercalating dye assays
The two frequently-used variants of qPCR are the 5’ nuclease assay and the intercalating dye assay. 5’ nuclease assays, sometimes referred to as PrimeTime™ or TaqMan® assays (Roche Diagnostics), exploit the exonuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase. These assays include two primers, and a probe that is labeled with a fluorescent dye and quencher(s). As the Taq polymerase extends from the primers, it encounters and degrades the annealed probe, releasing the dye from the quencher and producing a detectable increase in fluorescence. Multiplex qPCR experiments require use of 5’ nuclease assays where the probes are labeled with different dyes having distinct and separable absorbance spectra.
Intercalating dye assays depend on the ability of dyes such as SYBR® Green (Thermo Fisher), Cyto, EvaGreen® (Biotium), and LC Green® (Biofire Defense, LLC) to fluoresce when intercalated into double-stranded DNA. These assays use only primers and an unbound dye. When new, double-stranded DNA is formed during the reaction, there is a measurable increase in fluorescence as the dye intercalates into the DNA. However, intercalating dyes will interact with any double-stranded product and will fluoresce with non-specific products such as primer-dimers and hairpins. Therefore, it is important to confirm the formation of a single product from intercalating dye assays by analyzing the melt curve of the amplicon or repeating the experiment using a 5’ nuclease assay. For more information on melt-curve analysis, see the DECODED article, Explaining multiple peaks in qPCR melt curve analysis.
Genomic DNA (gDNA) vs. cDNA assays
qPCR experiments must amplify DNA since Taq polymerase cannot transcribe RNA. Typically, researchers measuring gene expression must first convert either the mRNA of interest or the entire mRNA sample into cDNA (created by reverse transcription from mRNA). When designing or ordering an assay, ensure that your assay measures the correct target type.For cDNA samples, using exon–exon spanning primers will ensure the assay measures gene expression and not contaminating genomic DNA (gDNA).
For more information on reverse-transcriptase qPCR assays, see the DECODED article, Starting with RNA—one-step or two-step RT-qPCR?
Master mixes
What are Master Mixes? Master mixes are mixtures containing most of the reagents required for qPCR. They can be prepared in the lab or purchased from commercial suppliers. Typical components of a master mix include a buffer to maintain pH and salt concentrations, magnesium chloride to stabilize double-stranded interactions and act as a cofactor for Taq polymerase, dNTPs to build the new DNA strands, and Taq polymerase to synthesize the new DNA.
The IDT PrimeTime Gene Expression Master Mix is optimized to support probe-based qPCR assays for gene expression analysis. This master mix is guaranteed to provide assay efficiencies >90% when used with PrimeTime qPCR Probe Assays in two-step RT-qPCR. It is also compatible with other primers and probes. Note that when performing a probe-based 5′ nuclease assay, ensure that you do not use a master mix designed for SYBR Green or other intercalating dyes, because the fluorescing dyes contained in these master mixes will impair your results.
For more information on master mixes, see the DECODED article, Obtain high efficiency qPCR results using PrimeTIme Gene Expression Master Mix.
Controls in qPCR
Several controls are recommended for use in qPCR experiments. The results from control reactions are important for troubleshooting or optimizing experimental conditions, or for validating conclusions from sample reactions. Many pathogen monitoring and identification protocols require controls.
The no template control (NTC) monitors contamination and primer-dimer formation that could produce false positive results. For this reaction, simply leave out the cDNA or gDNA template.
A no reverse transcriptase control (–RT or no RT) is recommended to monitor genomic DNA contamination when the target sample is cDNA.
Another recommended negative control is a no amplification control, where the DNA polymerase is omitted from the reaction to monitor background signal and probe stability.
Two types of positive controls are frequently included in qPCR experiments. The first, an exogenous positive control, is used to check for contaminants in the sample or reaction inhibitors through analysis of dilution series. This is an unrelated sequence, often from the genome of another species, that is spiked into the samples with which you are working.
An endogenous positive control, an assay for a sequence expressed uniformly across all samples (reference genes are often selected for this purpose), is used to correct for quantity and quality differences (normalize) between samples.
SNP design
A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a single DNA base position that varies in nucleotide identity between members of the same species or across paired chromosomes within a single individual. They are the most common type of genetic variation among humans. For such a variation to be considered a legitimate SNP, it must occur with a frequency of at least 1% in the population. While most SNPs occur in noncoding regions and have no effect on the organism carrying them, if present in a coding or regulatory region, SNPs will sometimes impact development and response to disease. They can also serve as biological markers. Researchers often use qPCR assays to detect the presence of SNPs in their samples.
Additional information can be found on the PACE™ SNP Genotyping Assays (3CR Bioscience) or Affinity Plus™ qPCR Probes product pages. Assay design for SNPs is more complex; for more information, contact IDT Technical Support at applicationsupport@idtdna.com.
Multiplex PCR
Multiplex reactions enable detection of multiple genes in one reaction in a single tube or plate well. For such experiments, each gene must be detected with a probe labeled with a unique dye. Because each dye emits fluorescence at a different wavelength, the key considerations for multiplex design are to ensure that the various primers and probes being used do not interact with each other and to choose dyes that are compatible with your machine.
For more information on multiplex dye selection, see the DECODED article: Recommended dye combinations for multiplex qPCR.
Your PCR and qPCR resource
In addition to a comprehensive set of tools and reagents for PCR and qPCR (see the Product focus sidebar in the right-hand column), IDT also has world-class technical support. These scientists are available to answer all types of qPCR questions ranging from experimental design to interpreting qPCR results. Contact us with your questions about qPCR assay design at applicationsupport@idtdna.com.
In addition, IDT has published the following guides:
Real-time PCR guide: Part 1—assay design
Real-time PCR guide: Part 2—assay validation and data analysis
Real-time PCR guide: Part 3—troubleshooting
Register to download one or all of the guides to understand qPCR design, validation, data analysis, and/or troubleshoot assays that produce unexpected results.
