The following data is an RT-PCR experiment comparing expression of the indicated

Question

The following data is an RT-PCR experiment comparing expression of the indicated genes in iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells), ES cells (embryonic stem cells) and MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts - differentiated cells).

Which of the following is a conclusion you would make based on the data?

The different iPS cell lines have identical gene expression.

Reverse transcriptase is required for the RT-PCR reaction to occur.

Some of the tested genes (not including the Nat1 loading control) are expressed in all cell types.

iPS and ES cells are overall very similar in gene expression.

The tested genes (not including the Nat1 loading control) are expressed only in undifferentiated cells.

Multiple answers are possible,

Explanation / Answer

In RT-PCR, RNA template is first converted into DNA to form a cDNA. So, Reverse transcriptase is required for the RT-PCR reaction to occur always. That is why, the last column, RT-minus is not showing any bands.

iPS and ES cells are overall very similar in gene expression. There are only some differences like, ERas and Oct3/4

The different iPS cell lines have almost identical gene expression. Again only a slight difference is in ERas and Oct3/4

The tested genes (not including the Nat1 loading control) are expressed only in undifferentiated cells. Only MEFs are shown as differentiated cells, and in differentiated cells, not of the genes is seen except NatI. This shows that these tested genes will be shown only in undifferentiated cells.

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