Primer schedule.

A summary of primer names, for/rev primer sequences (5′ to 3′), PCR product size (amplicons in bps), annealing conditions and Genebank accession numbers of each gene investigated. F: forward primer; R: reverse primer.

PCR primers were designed by Primer3 software (genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi-bin/primer/primer3_www.cgi) and synthesized by MWG (mwg.com/; Ebersberg, Germany).

The RNAi were designed by Invitrogen website (rnaidesigner.invitrogen.com/).

Amplification parameters were as follows: 37 cycles of 30 s/94°C, 25s/specific Ta, 30 s/72°C, preceded by 15 m/95°C hot start polymerase activation and followed by fluorescence monitoring during linear transition from 55–90°C, 0.01°C for 0.3 sec and further 5 m/72°C incubation.