shRNA gene silencing Mouse Prostate cancer cell lines (DU145 and PC3) CD24

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.

Get tips on using Alexa Fluor® 647 Mouse Anti-Human CD24 to perform Flow cytometry Anti-bodies Human - CD24

Get tips on using Purified Rat Anti-Mouse CD24 Clone M1/69 (RUO) to perform Immunohistochemistry Mouse - CD24

Get tips on using Purified Rat Anti-Mouse CD24 Clone M1/69 (RUO) to perform Immunohistochemistry Mouse - CD24

Protein isolation is a technique that involves isolation and/ or purification of protein from cells or tissues via chromatography or electrophoresis. The major challenges in protein isolation include: 1. The concentration of proteins in cells is variable and tends to be small for some intracellular proteins. Unlike nucleic acids, proteins cannot be amplified. 2. Proteins are more unstable than nucleic acids. They are easily denatured under suboptimal temperature, pH or salt concentrations. 3. Finally, no generalized technique/protocol can be applied for protein isolation. Proteins may have different electrostatic (number of positively or negatively charged amino acids) or hydrophobic properties. Therefore, protein purification requires multiple steps depending on their charge (a negatively charged resin/column for positively charged proteins and vice-versa), dissolution (using detergents) and unlike in the case of DNA and RNA, instead of using salts, proteins should be isolated by isoelectric precipitation.

Get tips on using Individual: TRC Mouse Cdh1 shRNA to perform shRNA gene silencing Mouse - 4T1 Cdh1

Cells are sourced from various tissues to grow them in in-vitro conditions. Therefore, cell specific nutrients are important for their survival, maintenance and growth. Determining the appropriate cell culture media is a challenge if you are growing a cell line or a microorganism for the first time. Established cell lines, primary cells, stem cells, bacteria and Yeast all require varied nutrients from basic to complex. Based on the cell type, one can easy find what media and nutrients your peers have used before you try to reinvent the wheel.

Isolating RNA from tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples can be challenging due to cross-linking of biomolecules and fragmented nucleic acids. The best solution is to slice the tissues into smaller pieces and make a homogenate solution (using tissue homogenizer or grinding liquid nitrogen frozen samples) in presence of RNAse inhibitors. The homogenization process should be carried out on dry ice to maintain the integrity of RNA.