Assay chemical activated luciferase gene

An additional screening test for TCDD-like (aryl hydrocarbon receptor, AhR, active) chemicals has been developed (Garrison et al. 1996) and is available commercially (Anonymous 1997). Dubbed the CALUX (for chemically activated luciferase gene expression) system, the assay is based on recombinant cell lines into which researchers have inserted a firefly luciferase gene. When exposed to dioxin-like compounds, the recombinant cells luminesce. The method is sensitive to ppt levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents in blood, serum, and milk (Anonymous 1997). Samples testing positive can be subjected to more definitive and specific analytical testing. 

Fig. 12 Gene-silencing effect of chemically synthesized pre-nuRNA. Left-. Effect of pre-nuRNA on expression of luciferase target gene. G3T-hi cells were transfected with pHOXB-Luc reporter plasmid, and effector RNA (100 nM) and reporter assays performed 48 h after transfection. Each value shown is the average of three independent experiments, and standard deviations are indicated as error bars. Right. Sense/antisense suppression activity ratios. G3T-hi cells were transfected with pHOXB-Luc or pHOXB-Luc-antisense reporter plasmid and effector RNA (30 nM), and reporter assays performed 48 h after transfection. The results are presented as the ratio of the average percent suppression of luciferase-containing sense and antisense target by the 110-nt pre-miRNA or the 22-nt miRNA duplex [111]...

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