PUBLICATION

A high-sensitivity, bi-directional reporter to monitor NF-κB activity in cell culture and zebrafish in real-time

Authors
Kuri, P., Ellwanger, K., Kufer, T.A., Leptin, M., Bajoghli, B.
ID
ZDB-PUB-161217-6
Date
2017
Source
Journal of Cell Science   130(3): 648-657 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Bajoghli, Baubak, Kuri, Paola, Leptin, Maria
Keywords
Nod1, Tri-DAP, pSGNluc, proctodeum, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Culture Techniques/methods*
  • Computer Systems*
  • Cytokines/metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism
  • Embryonic Development/drug effects
  • Genes, Reporter*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation/pathology
  • Luciferases/metabolism
  • NF-kappa B/metabolism*
  • Peptidoglycan/metabolism
  • Plasmids/metabolism
  • Signal Transduction/drug effects
  • Signal Transduction/radiation effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
PubMed
27980067 Full text @ J. Cell Sci.
Abstract
NF-κB transcription factors play major roles in numerous biological processes including development and immunity. Here, we engineered a novel bi-directional NF-κB-responsive reporter, pSGNluc, in which a high-affinity NF-κB promoter fragment simultaneously drives expression of luciferase and GFP. Treatment with TNFα induced a strong, dose-dependent luciferase signal in cell culture. The degree of induction over background was comparable to that of other NF-κB-driven luciferase reporters, but the absolute level of expression was at least 20-fold higher. This extends the sensitivity range of otherwise difficult assays mediated exclusively by endogenously expressed receptors, as we show for Nod1 signalling in HEK293 cells. To measure NF-κB activity in the living organism, we established a transgenic zebrafish line carrying the pSGNluc construct. Live in toto imaging of transgenic embryos revealed the activation patterns of NF-κB signalling during embryonic development and as responses to inflammatory stimuli. Altogether, by integrating qualitative and quantitative NF-κB reporter activity, pSGNluc is a valuable tool for studying NF-κB signaling at high spatiotemporal resolution in cultured cells and living animals which goes beyond the possibilities provided by currently available reporters.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping