Massively parallel reporter assays in cultured mammalian cells

J Vis Exp. 2014 Aug 17:(90):51719. doi: 10.3791/51719.

Abstract

The genetic reporter assay is a well-established and powerful tool for dissecting the relationship between DNA sequences and their gene regulatory activities. The potential throughput of this assay has, however, been limited by the need to individually clone and assay the activity of each sequence on interest using protein fluorescence or enzymatic activity as a proxy for regulatory activity. Advances in high-throughput DNA synthesis and sequencing technologies have recently made it possible to overcome these limitations by multiplexing the construction and interrogation of large libraries of reporter constructs. This protocol describes implementation of a Massively Parallel Reporter Assay (MPRA) that allows direct comparison of hundreds of thousands of putative regulatory sequences in a single cell culture dish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Genes, Reporter
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*

Substances

  • Oligonucleotide Probes