Kit Contents:

Component	Specification	Concentration (total volume)
E2F Reporter	A mixture of inducible E2F-responsive firefly luciferase construct and constitutively expressing Renilla luciferase construct (40:1).	(100 ng/µl; 500 µl)*
Negative control	A mixture of non-inducible firefly luciferase construct and constitutively expressing Renilla luciferase construct (40:1).	(100 ng/µl; 500 µl)
Positive control	A mixture of constitutively expressing GFP, constitutively expressing firefly luciferase, and constitutively expressing Renilla luciferase constructs (40:1:1).	(100 ng/µl; 250 µl)

* Supplied material provides sufficient reporter for 500 assays, using recommended 96-well plate transfection protocol. The number of assays per kit is a function of the assay plate format used (refer to Cignal Reporter Assay User Manual).

Storage Conditions: The Cignal reporter assay constructs are shipped ambient. Store all tubes at -20  ºC.

1. Dilute transfection-ready reporter, negative control, and positive control construct formulations.
2. Dilute relevant test nucleic acids (siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, expression vector).
3. Prepare appropriate combinations of reporter constructs, controls, and test nucleic acids.
4. Transfect plasmid mixtures separately into replicate wells of your cell line of interest using an optimized transfection procedure for the cell line under study.
5. If applicable, 16 to 24 hours post-transfection, treat the transfected cells with test proteins, peptides, or compounds of interest.
6. Two (2) to three (3) days post-transfection, assay the activities of the signaling pathways under study, utilizing the dual luciferase assay.

The Cignal Reporter Assays include pre-formulated, transfection-ready reporter, negative control, and positive control. The transcription factor reporter and negative control are transfected and subjected to experimental treatments, in parallel. Dual-luciferase results are calculated for each transfectant. The impact of the experimental treatments is determined by comparing the normalized luciferase activities of the reporter to the identically treated negative control, across the complete treatment regimen. The positive control serves as a control for transfection efficiency, by monitoring GFP expression, as well as a positive control for both the firefly and Renilla luciferase assays.

General performance

Average maximum response rate = 26.8
Average Z' factor at maximum response rate = 0.73
Average coefficient of variation (CV%) = 6.5%

Excellent signal to noise ratio

Cignal E2F reporter assay showed activation of E2F cell cycle pathway: 293-H cells were transfected with E2F reporter, negative control and positive control (for transfection protocol refer our user manual). After 16 hours of transfection, medium was changed to assay medium (Opti-MEM + 0.5% FBS + 0.1 mM NEAA + 1mM Sodium pyruvate + 100 U/ml penicillin + 100 ug/ml streptomycin). After 40 hours of transfection, cells were treated with 10% serum, and 10% serum and 100 ng/ml EGF for 6 hours. Dual Luciferase assay was performed, and promoter activity values are expressed as arbitrary units using a Renilla reporter for internal normalization. Experiments were done in triplicates, and the standard deviation is indicated. Cignal E2F reporter assay measured 27 fold increase in E2F transcription activity in response to serum.

Progress in the eukaryotic cell cycle is driven by oscillations in the activities of CDKs (Cyclin-Dependent Kinases). CDK activity is controlled by periodic synthesis and degradation of positive regulatory subunits, Cyclins, as well as by fluctuations in levels of negative regulators, by CKIs (CDK Inhibitors), and by reversible phosphorylation. The mammalian cell cycle consists of four discrete phases: S-phase, in which DNA is replicated; M-phase, in which the chromosomes are separated over two new nuclei in the process of mitosis. These two phases are separated by two so called “Gap” phases, G1 and G2, in which the cell prepares for the upcoming events of S and M, respectively (Ref.1). The different Cyclins, specific for the G1-, S-, or M-phases of the cell cycle, accumulate and activate CDKs at the appropriate times during the cell cycle and then are degraded, causing kinase inactivation. Levels of some CKIs, which specifically inhibit certain Cyclin/CDK complexes, also rise and fall at specific times during the cell cycle (Ref.2). A breakdown in the regulation of this cycle leads to uncontrolled growth and contribute to tumor formation. Defects in many of the molecules that regulate the cell cycle also lead to tumor progression. Key among these are p53, the CKIs (p15 (INK4B), p16 (INK4A), p18 (INK4C), p19 (INK4D), p21, p27 (KIP1)), and Rb (Retinoblastoma Susceptibility Protein), all of which act to keep the cell cycle from progressing until all repairs to damaged DNA have been completed.

In mammalian cells, different Cyclin-CDK complexes are involved in regulating different cell cycle transitions: Cyclin-D -CDK4/6 for G1 progression, Cyclin-E -CDK2 for the G1-S transition, Cyclin-A -CDK2 for S-phase progression, and Cyclin-A/B-CDC2 for entry into M-phase. Apart from these well-known roles in the cell cycle, several Cyclins and CDKs are involved in processes not directly related to the cell cycle. Cyclin-D binds and activates the estrogen receptor. (Ref.6). The Cyclin-H -CDK7 complex is a component of both the CDK-activating kinase and the basal transcription factor TFIIH and can phosphorylate CDKs. Other Cyclins and CDKs (Cyclin-C-CDK8, Cyclin-T-CDK9, and Cyclin-K) are also associated with RNA Polymerase-II and phosphorylate the carboxyl-terminal repeat domain. Cyclin-G, a target of p53, recruits PP2A (Protein Phosphatase 2A) to dephosphorylate MDM2 (Mouse Double Minute 2) (Ref.3).

Cyclins associate with CDKs to regulate their activity and the progression of the cell cycle through specific checkpoints. Disruption of Cyclin action leads to either cell cycle arrest, or to uncontrolled cell cycle proliferation. Mitogenic signals that are received by cell surface receptors communicate to the nuclear cell cycle machinery to induce cell division through growth factor receptors that target Ras, which signals to a number of cytoplasmic signaling cascades such as PI3K (Phosphatidylinositiol–3 Kinase), Raf and Rho. These proteins connect to the nuclear cell cycle machinery to mediate exit from Go into G1 and S-phase of the cell cycle. Activation of Ras leads to transcriptional induction of Cyclin-D1 in early G1 through a Ras-responsive element in the Cyclin-D1 gene promoter. Cyclin-D associates with CDK4 and CDK6 to form active Cyclin-D/CDK4 (or -6) complexes. This complex is responsible for the first phosphorylation of tumor suppressor Rb in G1 (Ref.1). Subsequently, Cyclin-E is synthesized. When Cyclin-E is abundant it interacts with the cell cycle checkpoint kinase CDK2 and allow progression of the cell cycle from G1 to S-phase. One of the key targets of activated CDK2 complexed with Cyclin-E is Rb. When dephosphorylated in G1, Rb complexes with and blocks transcriptional activation by E2F transcription factors. But when CDK2/Cyclin-E phosphorylates Rb, it dissociates from E2F, allowing E2F to activate the transcription of genes required for S-phase. E2F activity consists of a heterodimeric complex of an E2F polypeptide and a DP1 protein (Ref.5).  One of the genes activated by E2F is Cyclin-E itself, leading to a positive feedback cycle as Cyclin-E accumulates. In S-phase, Cyclin-A is made, which in complex with DK2 adds further phosphates to Rb. Cyclin-B is made in G2 and M-phases of the cell cycle (Ref.4). It combines with CDK1 (also called CDC2 or CDC28) to form the major mitotic kinase MPF (M-phase Promoting Factor). MPF causes entry of cells into mitosis and, after a lag, activates the system that degrades its Cyclin subunit. MPF inactivation, caused by the degradation of Cyclin-B, is required for exit from mitosis (Ref.2). 14-3-3s bind to the phosphorylated CDC2–Cyclin-B kinase and exports it from the nucleus. During G2-phase, CDC2 is maintained in an inactive state by the kinases Wee1 and Myt1 (Myelin Transcription Factor 1). As cells approach M-phase, the phosphatase CDC25 is activated by PLK (Polo-Like Kinase). CDC25 then activates CDC2, establishing a feedback amplification loop that efficiently drives the cell into mitosis.

All Cyclins are degraded by ubiquitin-mediated processes, and the mode by which these systems are connected to the cell-cycle regulatory phosphorylation network, are different for mitotic and G1 Cyclins (Ref.2). The decision by the cell to either remain in G1 or progress into S-phase is the result in part of the balance between Cyclin-E production and proteolytic degradation in the proteosome. Cyclin-E is targeted for destruction by the proteosome through ubiquitination when associated with a complex of proteins called the SCF or F box complex. During G1-phase, the Rb-HDACs (Histone Deacetylases) repressor complex binds to the E2F-DP1 transcription factors, inhibiting the downstream transcription. Many different stimuli exert checkpoint control including TGF-Beta, DNA damage, contact inhibition, replicative senescence and growth factor withdrawal. The first four act by inducing members of the INK4A family or KIP/CIP families of cell cycle kinase inhibitors. TGF-Beta additionally inhibits the transcription of CDC25A, a phosphatase that activates the cell cycle kinases. DNA damage activates the DNA-PK/ATM/ATR kinases, initiating cascades that inactivate CDC2–Cyclin-B.

Both synthesis and destruction of Cyclins are important for cell cycle progression. The destruction of Cyclin-B by Anaphase-Promoting Complex/cyclosome is essential for metaphase-anaphase transition, and expression of indestructible Cyclin-B traps cells in mitosis (Ref.3). Cyclins-E and A have been implicated in the DNA replication initiation process in mammalian cells. In embryonic systems, Cyclin-E regulates replication in the absence of Cyclin-A. For centrosome duplication, in somatic cells Cyclin-A is required to induce DNA replication and it has also been implicated in activation of DNA synthesis, because of its appearance time relative to the onset time of DNA synthesis and its localization to sites of nuclear DNA replication. Cyclin-E regulates the transcription of genes that encode the replication machinery but has also been implicated in the initiation process in mammalian cells (Ref.1). Similarly, expression of indestructible Cyclin-A arrests cells in late mitosis. Overexpression of Cyclin-F also causes an accumulation of the G2/M (Ref.3).

References:

1. Coqueret O
Linking cyclins to transcriptional control.
Gene. 2002 Oct 16;299(1-2):35-55.
PubMed ID: 12459251

2. Tenderenda M
A study on the prognostic value of cyclins D1 and E expression levels in resectable gastric cancer and on some correlations between cyclins expression, histoclinical parameters and selected protein products of cell-cycle regulatory genes.
J. Exp. Clin. Cancer Res. 2005 Sep; 24(3):405-14.
PubMed ID: 16270527

3. Fung TK, Siu WY, Yam CH, Lau A, Poon RY.
Cyclin F is degraded during G2-M by mechanisms fundamentally different from other cyclins.
J. Biol. Chem. 2002 Sep 20; 277(38): 35140-9.
PubMed ID: 12122006

4. Coverley D, Laman H, Laskey RA.
Distinct roles for cyclins E and A during DNA replication complex assembly and activation.
Nat. Cell Biol. 2002 Jul; 4(7): 523-8.
PubMed ID: 12080347

5. Mundle SD, Saberwal G.
Evolving intricacies and implications of E2F1 regulation.
FASEB J. 2003 Apr;17(6):569-74.
PubMed ID: 12665469

6. Bindels EM, Lallemand F, Balkenende A, Verwoerd D, Michalides R.
Involvement of G1/S cyclins in estrogen-independent proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.
Oncogene. 2002 Nov 21;21(53):8158-65.
PubMed ID: 12444551



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