Firefly luciferase-based reporter gene assay for investigating nanoparticle-mediated nucleic acid delivery

Katharina Müller, Manfred Ogris, Haider Sami

    Publications: Contribution to bookChapterPeer Reviewed

    Abstract

    Investigation of nanoparticle-mediated nucleic acid delivery is a key step for the development of nucleic acid-based nanotherapeutics. Using luciferases as reporter genes, the efficiency of gene delivery can be quantified in a highly sensitive way based on bioluminescence measurements. Here we describe a robust assay to quantify the activity of exogenously produced firefly luciferase and its normalization by the total protein amount (bicinchoninic acid assay, BCA) in the cells. The method describes preparation of firefly luciferase assay buffer (F-LAB) along with BCA assay and employment of the optimized firefly luciferase assay for investigating in vitro gene delivery by polyplex and lipoplex nanoparticles. Reusability of F-LAB for ease of usage (by freezing and reusing it for luciferase assay) is also demonstrated.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
    PublisherHumana Press, Inc.
    Pages227-239
    Number of pages13
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

    Publication series

    SeriesMethods in Molecular Biology
    Volume1943
    ISSN1064-3745

    Austrian Fields of Science 2012

    • 301207 Pharmaceutical chemistry

    Keywords

    • BCA assay
    • Firefly luciferase assay buffer
    • Gene delivery
    • In vitro transfection
    • Lipoplex nanoparticles
    • Luminescence assay
    • Nucleic acid delivery
    • Polyplex nanoparticles
    • Recombinant firefly luciferase

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