Reporter gene assay β-lactamase substrates

Get tips on using ToxCount™ Cell Viability Assay to perform Live / Dead assay mammalian cells - glioblastoma stem cells

Get tips on using ROS-Glo™ H2O2 Assay to perform ROS assay cell type - PANC-, BxPC-3 human pancreas

Get tips on using In Vitro ROS/RNS Assay to perform ROS assay cell type - human umbelical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)

Get tips on using MTT Cell Growth Assay Kit to perform Cell cytotoxicity / Proliferation assay cell type - oral squamous cell carcinoma

Get tips on using ROS-Glo™ H2O2 Assay to perform ROS assay cell type - BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cell line

Get tips on using TUNEL Assay Kit - BrdU-Red to perform TUNEL assay cell type - A127, U87MG, U251MG, T98G human glioblastoma cells

Get tips on using BrdU Cell Proliferation Assay Kit to perform Cell cytotoxicity / Proliferation assay cell type - BxPc-3 human primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Get tips on using Pre-designed and validated siRNA against gene IGFBP1 to perform siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Human - Primary Endometrial Stromal Cells IGFBP1 (Insuline-like growth factor binding protein-1)

Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include: 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi have been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.

Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include: 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi have been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.