The mRNA levels of each gene were measured via qPCR. Following procedures previously described (50 (link)), RNA was isolated using a total RNA isolation kit, including an on-column deoxyribonuclease treatment (Norgen). cDNA synthesis was carried out using the SuperScript III Reverse Transcriptase Kit using a mixture of oligo(dT) and random hexamers for priming (Life Technologies). qPCR was conducted with Fast SYBR Green Master Mix (Applied Biosystems), and fluorescence was monitored using a 7900HT Fast real-time instrument (Applied Biosystems). Data were analyzed using the ΔΔCt method. The endogenous control transcripts were used for normalization. Statistical significance was determined using a one-tailed Student’s t test. The sequences of the primers used for all qPCR assays are in table S3.