Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has delivered significant insights in understanding the gene expression landscape. Thanks to its precision, sensitivity, flexibility, and cost effectiveness, RT-qPCR has also found utility in advanced single-cell analysis. Single-cell RT-qPCR now represents a well-established method, suitable for an efficient screening prior to single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) experiments, or, oppositely, for validation of hypotheses formulated from high-throughput approaches. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the scRT-qPCR method by discussing the limitations of single-cell collection methods, describing the importance of reverse transcription, providing recommendations for the preamplification and primer design, and summarizing essential data processing steps. With the detailed protocol attached in the appendix, this tutorial provides a set of guidelines that allow any researcher to perform scRT-qPCR measurements of the highest standard.

• Klíčová slova
• RT-qPCR, gene expression, preamplification, quantitative PCR, reverse transcription, sample collection, single cell,
• MeSH
• analýza jednotlivých buněk metody   normy   MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce metody   normy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• reverzní transkripce genetika   MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   normy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Analyzing rare DNA and RNA molecules in limited sample sizes, such as liquid biopsies and single cells, often requires preamplification, which makes downstream analyses particularly sensitive to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated contamination. Herein, we assessed the feasibility of performing Cod uracil-DNA N-glycosylase (Cod UNG) treatment in combination with targeted preamplification, using deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) to eliminate carry-over DNA. Cod UNG can be completely and irreversibly heat inactivated, a prerequisite in preamplification methods, where any loss of amplicons is detrimental to subsequent quantification. Using 96 target assays and quantitative real-time PCR, we show that replacement of deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) with dUTP in the preamplification reaction mix results in comparable dynamic range, reproducibility, and sensitivity. Moreover, Cod UNG essentially removes all uracil-containing template of most assays, regardless of initial concentration, without affecting downstream analyses. Finally, we demonstrate that the use of Cod UNG and dUTP in targeted preamplification can easily be included in the workflow for single-cell gene expression profiling. In summary, Cod UNG treatment in combination with targeted preamplification using dUTP provides a simple and efficient solution to eliminate carry-over contamination and the generation of false positives and inaccurate quantification.

• Klíčová slova
• Cod UNG, contamination, dUTP, preamplification, qPCR, single-cell analysis,
• MeSH
• analýza jednotlivých buněk MeSH
• deoxyuracilnukleotidy metabolismus   MeSH
• Gadus morhua metabolismus   MeSH
• kontaminace DNA * MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• uracil-DNA-glykosidasa metabolismus   MeSH
• uracil metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• deoxyuracilnukleotidy MeSH
• deoxyuridine triphosphate MeSH Prohlížeč
• uracil-DNA-glykosidasa MeSH
• uracil MeSH