The support of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering is acknowledged. TCK was the recipient of AINSE awards. Epigenomic Medicine Lab is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (566559). HR is supported by an Australian post-graduate and BakerIDI bright spark awards. This work is funded by the CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development Ltd (CRC-BID), established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres program. CO is the recipient an Australian post-graduate award and a CRC-BID supplementary scholarship.

1. Cell Culture and Experimental Set-up
<ol>
<li>Human keratinocytes are maintained as monolayers in 75 cm2 tissue culture flasks containing 15 mL of keratinocyte-SFM (K-SFM) medium (GIBCO, serum-free medium) supplemented with L-glutamine (2 mM), epidermal growth factor (5 ng/ mL), bovine pituitary extract (40 &mu;g/ mL) and 20 mg/ mL gentamicin. Cells are grown in a humidified 5% CO2 environment at 37&deg;C.</li>
<li>Cells are seeded into 12 x 25 cm2 tissue culture flasks containing 5 mL of K-SFM medium.</li>
</ol>
Single cell suspensions are prepared by trypsinization. Cells are washed with phosphate buffered saline and incubated with a 0.05% trypsin / EDTA solution for 5-10 minutes. When the cells start to become rounded and ~30% are detached, 3 volumes of Dulbecco's modified eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum is added to neutralize the trypsin. The cells are detached by pipetting up and down (20 times). Cells are counted using a hemocytometer.
Appropriate cell numbers are seeded according to the doubling time of the cell line (approximately 20 hours for human FEP-1811 keratinocytes). The aim is to achieve ~90% confluency (~106 cells per flask) on the day of the experiment.
An experiment consisting of 12 flasks is optimal for a single clonogenic assay (six unirradiated control and six irradiated flasks) which can be completed in approximately four hours.


2. Treatment and Irradiation
<ol>
<li>Treat cells for an appropriate time with a relevant radiation-modifying compound and expose cells to ionising radiation either &gamma;-radiation or X-rays.</li>
</ol>
Typically six flasks serve as plating efficiency (untreated) and drug only controls. The other six flasks are irradiated.
In this example human keratinocytes are treated with various concentration of Cinnulin PF (CPF; Integrity Nutraceuticals International, Spring Hill, TN, US; representative data for 20 &mu;g/ mL is shown below), a water-soluble natural antioxidant formulation, for 1 hour at 37&deg;C. Cells are irradiated with 4 Gy using a 137Cs source (Gammacell 1000 Elite irradiator; Nordion International, ON, Canada; 1.6 Gy/min).

3. Plating
<ol>
<li>Following treatment, single cell suspensions are obtained as described earlier.</li>
<li>The number of cells in each sample are counted carefully using a hemocytometer and diluted such that appropriate cell numbers are seeded into petri dishes (five replicates of each in 15 mm dishes). 
The plating efficiency and / or surviving fraction should be anticipated when deciding the number of cells to seed per plate. The aim is to achieve a range of between 20 - 150 colonies.</li>
</ol>
Petri dishes are arranged in a humidified plastic cloning box and incubated in a 5% CO2 environment at 37&deg;C for colony formation.
The incubation time for colony formation varies from 1-3 weeks for different cell lines; it is accepted that the time must be equivalent to at least six cell divisions. In this example, the control dishes for human keratinocytes require eight days to form sufficiently large clones consisting of 50 or more cells.

4. Fixing and Staining Colonies
Complete the following steps in a fume hood.
<ol>
<li>Gently remove the media from each of the plates by aspiration.</li>
<li>Wash each plate with 5 mL 0.9% saline.</li>
<li>Fix the colonies with 5 mL 10% neutral buffered formalin solution for 15-30 minutes.</li>
<li>Stain with 5 mL 0.01% (w/v) crystal violet in dH2O for 30-60 minutes.</li>
<li>Wash excess crystal violet with dH2O and allow dishes to dry.</li>
</ol>
5. Colony Counting
Stereomicroscope
<ol>
<li>Colonies containing more than 50 individual cells are counted using a stereomicroscope.</li>
</ol>
Digital imaging and counting using imaging software
<ol>
<li>Digital images of the colonies are obtained using a camera or scanning device</li>
<li>Colonies are counted using imaging analysis software packages as described below.</li>
</ol>
Cell counting using ImageJ (Fiji Version 1.44a)
<ol>
<li>Open the image file in Fiji, go to File -> Open.</li>
<li>If required convert the image to 8-bit format, go to Image -> Adjust...-> Threshold.</li>
<li>Adjust threshold to reduce levels of non-specific background so that only the colonies are detected.</li>
<li>Count colonies using the following: go to Process -> Binary -> Find maxima.</li>
</ol>
For this image format, noise tolerance can be set to 0. Ensure that light background option is ticked and preview the detected maxima to check that all cell colonies have been correctly registered.

<ol>
	<li>Puck, T. T., Marcus, P. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Action+of+x-rays+on+mammalian+cells.">Action of x-rays on mammalian cells.</a> J Exp Med. 103, 653-666 (1956).</li><li>Hurlin, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progression+of+human+papillomavirus+type+18-immortalized+human+keratinocytes+to+a+malignant+phenotype.">Progression of human papillomavirus type 18-immortalized human keratinocytes to a malignant phenotype.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 88, 570-574 (1991).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

In this example human FEP-1811 keratinocytes were treated with various concentrations up to 100 &mu;g/ mL CPF; data is shown for 20 &mu;g/ mL CPF for 1 hour at 37&deg;C. Following treatment cells were irradiated with 4 Gy using a 137Cs source (Gammacell 1000 Elite irradiator; Nordion International, ON, Canada; 1.6 Gy/min). For the control untreated and drug only treatments 100 cells were plated in each petri dish and 1000 cells per dish were plated for the irradiated samples. As indicated in the table above...

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">	
		
		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Keratinocyte-serum free medium</td>
<td>Growth medium</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>17005042</td>
<td>Supplemented with 2mM L-glutamine, 20&#x03BC;g/ml gentamicin, epidermal growth factor, bovine pituitary extract.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trypsin-EDTA</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>15400-054</td>
<td>0.05% trypsin / EDTA to detach adherent cells; 10 x stock diluted in PBS w/o Ca2+/Mg2+.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dulbecco&#x2019;s modified essential medium</td>
<td>Growth medium</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>11885-084</td>
<td>Supplemented with 10% FBS and 20&mu;g/ml gentamicin; used to neutralise trypsin/EDTA.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>0.09% Saline</td>
<td>Solution</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td> Used to wash colonies.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10% Neutral buffered formalin solution</td>
<td>Solution</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>HT501128</td>
<td>~4% formaldehyde; used to fix colonies.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crystal violet</td>
<td>Powder</td>
<td>SPI-Chem</td>
<td>02577-MB</td>
<td>0.01% crystal violet solution, prepared in dH2O, used to stain colonies.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gammacell 1000 elite irradiator</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Nordion International Inc.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Petri dishes</td>
<td>60 x 15 mm</td>
<td>Falcon</td>
<td>353002</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Haemocytometer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Hawksley; Medical and Laboratory Equipment</td>
<td>AC1000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cloning box</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Plastic box with holes punched at opposite sides of lid; for storing petri dishes during prolonged incubation for colony formation.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stereomicroscope</td>
<td>Type 102</td>
<td>Nikon</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Used to count colonies consisting of &gt;50 cells.</td>
</tr>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

clonogenic assay: adherent cells

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. Apart from documenting the method, the initial landmark study generated the first radiation-dose response curve for X-ray irradiated mammalian (HeLa) cells in culture1. Basically, the clonogenic assay enables an assessment of the differences in reproductive viability (capacity of cells to produce progeny; i.e. a single cell to form a colony of 50 or more cells) between control untreated cells and cells that have undergone various treatments such as exposure to ionising radiation, various chemical compounds (e.g. cytotoxic agents) or in other cases genetic manipulation. The assay has become the most widely accepted technique in radiation biology and has been widely used for evaluating the radiation sensitivity of different cell lines. Further, the clonogenic assay is commonly used for monitoring the efficacy of radiation modifying compounds and for determining the effects of cytotoxic agents and other anti-cancer therapeutics on colony forming ability, in different cell lines. A typical clonogenic survival experiment using adherent cells lines involves three distinct components, 1) treatment of the cell monolayer in tissue culture flasks, 2) preparation of single cell suspensions and plating an appropriate number of cells in petri dishes and 3) fixing and staining colonies following a relevant incubation period, which could range from 1-3 weeks, depending on the cell line. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cell lines with the use of an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (FEP-1811)2. Also, our aims are to describe common features of clonogenic assays including calculation of the plating efficiency and survival fractions after exposure of cells to radiation, and to exemplify modification of radiation-response with the use of a natural antioxidant formulation.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells at JoVE.com

Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells

The applicability of the clonogenic assay for evaluating reproductive viability has been established for more than 50 years. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cells.

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

47.9K Aufrufe.  The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct. Die Anwendbarkeit des klonogene Test zur Bewertung der reproduktiven Überlebensfähigkeit seit mehr als 50 Jahren etabliert. Hier zeigen wir das allgemeine Verfahren für die Durchführung der klonogene Test mit adhärenten Zellen.

Serie: Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells

Fabrication and Operation of an Oxygen Insert for Adherent Cellular Cultures 

Oxygen is a key modulator of many cellular pathways, but current devices permitting in vitro oxygen modulation fail to meet the needs of biomedical research. The hypoxic chamber offers a simple system to control oxygenation in standard culture vessels, but lacks precise temporal and spatial control over the oxygen concentration at the cell surface, preventing its application in studying a variety of physiological phenomena. Other systems have improved upon the hypoxic chamber, but require specialized knowledge and equipment for their operation, making them intimidating for the average researcher. A microfabricated insert for multiwell plates has been developed to more effectively control the temporal and spatial oxygen concentration to better model physiological phenomena found in vivo. The platform consists of a polydimethylsiloxane insert that nests into a standard multiwell plate and serves as a passive microfluidic gas network with a gas-permeable membrane aimed to modulate oxygen delivery to adherent cells. The device is simple to use and is connected to gas cylinders that provide the pressure to introduce the desired oxygen concentration into the platform. Fabrication involves a combination of standard SU-8 photolithography, replica molding, and defined PDMS spinning on a silicon wafer. The components of the device are bonded after surface treatment using a hand-held plasma system. Validation is accomplished with a planar fluorescent oxygen sensor. Equilibration time is on the order of minutes and a wide variety of oxygen profiles can be attained based on the device design, such as the cyclic profile achieved in this study, and even oxygen gradients to mimic those found in vivo. The device can be sterilized for cell culture using common methods without loss of function. The device's applicability to studying the in vitro wound healing response will be demonstrated.

Fabrication and Operation of an Oxygen Insert for Adherent Cellular Cultures

Fabrication and validation of an add-on platform that offers enhanced control over the spatial and temporal oxygenation in a 6-well plate. The device is adaptable to a number of culture systems and can be used to investigate the effects of oxygen on wound healing.

Oxygen is a key modulator of many cellular pathways, but current devices permitting in vitro oxygen modulation fail to meet the needs of biomedical ...

In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells

Protein function is intimately coupled to protein localization. Although some proteins are restricted to a specific location or subcellular compartment, many proteins are present as a freely diffusing population in free exchange with a sub-population that is tightly associated with a particular subcellular domain or structure. In situ subcellular fractionation allows the visualization of protein compartmentalization and can also reveal protein sub-populations that localize to specific structures. For example, removal of soluble cytoplasmic proteins and loosely held nuclear proteins can reveal the stable association of some transcription factors with chromatin. Subsequent digestion of DNA can in some cases reveal association with the network of proteins and RNAs that is collectively termed the nuclear scaffold or nuclear matrix. 
Here we describe the steps required during the in situ fractionation of adherent and non-adherent mammalian cells on microscope coverslips. Protein visualization can be achieved using specific antibodies or fluorescent fusion proteins and fluorescence microscopy. Antibodies and/or fluorescent dyes that act as markers for specific compartments or structures allow protein localization to be mapped in detail. In situ fractionation can also be combined with western blotting to compare the amounts of protein present in each fraction. This simple biochemical approach can reveal associations that would otherwise remain undetected.

In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells

In situ subcellular fractionation of mammalian cells on microscope coverslips allows the visualisation of protein localisation.

Protein function is intimately coupled to protein localization. Although some proteins are restricted to a specific location or subcellular compartment, ...

Isolation of Primary Mouse Trophoblast Cells and Trophoblast Invasion Assay

The placenta is responsible for the transport of nutrients, gasses and growth factors to the fetus, as well as the elimination of wastes. 
Thus, defects in placental development have important consequences for the fetus and mother, and are a major cause of embryonic lethality. The major cell type of the 
fetal portion of the placenta is the trophoblast. Primary mouse placental trophoblast cells are a useful tool for studying normal and abnormal placental development, 
and unlike cell lines, may be isolated and used to study trophoblast at specific stages of pregnancy. In addition, primary cultures of trophoblast from transgenic
mice may be used to study the role of particular genes in placental cells. The protocol presented here is based on the description by Thordarson et al.1, in which a 
percoll gradient is used to obtain a relatively pure trophoblast cell population from isolated mouse placentas. It is similar to the more widely used methods for 
human trophoblast cell isolation2-3. Purity may be assessed by immunocytochemical staining of the isolated cells for cytokeratin 74. Here, the isolated cells are 
then analyzed using a matrigel invasion assay to assess trophoblast invasiveness in vitro5-6. The invaded cells are analyzed by immunocytochemistry and stained 
for counting.

In this protocol, we describe the dissection of placentae from the mouse on pregnancy d10.5, followed by isolation of trophoblast cells using a Percoll gradient. We then demonstrate use of the isolated cells in a matrigel invasion assay.

The placenta is responsible for the transport of nutrients, gasses and growth factors to the fetus, as well as the elimination of wastes.  
Thus, defects ...

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and play a role in many biological processes. More than 700 human miRNAs have been identified so far with each having up to hundreds of unique target mRNAs. Computational tools, expression and proteomics assays, and chromatin-immunoprecipitation-based techniques provide important clues for identifying mRNAs that are direct targets of a particular miRNA. In addition, 3'UTR-reporter assays have become an important component of thorough miRNA target studies because they provide functional evidence for and quantitate the effects of specific miRNA-3'UTR interactions in a cell-based system. To enable more researchers to leverage 3'UTR-reporter assays and to support the scale-up of such assays to high-throughput levels, we have created a genome-wide collection of human 3'UTR luciferase reporters in the highly-optimized LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System. The system also includes synthetic miRNA target reporter constructs for use as positive controls, various endogenous 3'UTR reporter constructs, and a series of standardized experimental protocols.
Here we describe a method for co-transfection of individual 3'UTR-reporter constructs along with a miRNA mimic that is efficient, reproducible, and amenable to high-throughput analysis.

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3&#039;UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and have been shown to play a role in numerous biological processes. To better understand miRNA-UTR interactions, we have created a genome-wide collection of 3 UTR luciferase reporters paired with a novel luciferase gene and assay reagent, the LightSwitch system.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and play a role in many biological processes.  More than 700 human miRNAs have been ...

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during development. Misregulation of this process has been implicated as a key event in fibrosis and the progression of carcinomas to a metastatic state. Understanding the processes that underlie EMT is imperative for the early diagnosis and clinical control of these disease states. Reliable induction of EMT in vitro is a useful tool for drug discovery as well as to identify common gene expression signatures for diagnostic purposes. Here we demonstrate a straightforward method for the induction of EMT in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells pre- and post-EMT induction by immunocytochemistry are also included. Additionally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this method through antibody-based array analysis and migration/invasion assays.

A straightforward method is described for the induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cell types. Methods for the analysis of cells in EMT states by immunocytochemistry are included.

Epithelial  to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for proper morphogenesis during  development. Misregulation of this  process has been implicated ...

A Functional Assay for Gap Junctional Examination; Electroporation of Adherent Cells on Indium-Tin Oxide

In this technique, cells are cultured on a glass slide that is partly coated with indium-tin oxide (ITO), a transparent, electrically conductive material. A variety of molecules, such as peptides or oligonucleotides can be introduced into essentially 100% of the cells in a non-traumatic manner.&#160; Here, we describe how it can be used to study intercellular, gap junctional communication. Lucifer yellow penetrates into the cells when an electric pulse, applied to the conductive surface on which they are growing, causes pores to form through the cell membrane. This is electroporation. Cells growing on the nonconductive&#160;glass surface immediately adjacent to the electroporated region do not take up Lucifer yellow by electroporation but do acquire the fluorescent dye as it is passed to them via gap junctions that link them to the electroporated cells. The results of the transfer of dye from cell to cell can be observed microscopically under fluorescence illumination. This technique allows for precise quantitation of gap junctional communication. In addition, it can be used for the introduction of peptides or other non-permeant molecules, and the transfer of small electroporated peptides via gap junctions to inhibit the signal in the adjacent, non-electroporated cells is a powerful demonstration of signal inhibition.

This presentation demonstrates a method whereby electroporation of adherent, cultured cells is used for the study of intercellular, junctional communication, while the cells grow on a slide coated with conductive and transparent indium-tin oxide.

In this technique, cells are cultured on a glass slide that is partly coated with indium-tin oxide (ITO), a transparent, electrically conductive material. ...

Nephrotoxin Microinjection in Zebrafish to Model Acute Kidney Injury

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid decline in renal function and development of the clinical syndrome known as acute kidney injury (AKI). Pharmacological agents used to treat medical circumstances ranging from bacterial infection to cancer, when administered individually or in combination with other drugs, can initiate AKI. Zebrafish are a useful animal model to study the chemical effects on renal function in vivo, as they form an embryonic kidney comprised of nephron functional units that are conserved with higher vertebrates, including humans. Further, zebrafish can be utilized to perform genetic and chemical screens, which provide opportunities to elucidate the cellular and molecular facets of AKI and develop therapeutic strategies such as the identification of nephroprotective molecules. Here, we demonstrate how microinjection into the zebrafish embryo can be utilized as a paradigm for nephrotoxin studies.

Renal injuries incurred from nephrotoxins, which include drugs ranging from antibiotics to chemotherapeutics, can result in complex disorders whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. This protocol demonstrates how zebrafish can be used for disease modeling of these conditions, which can be applied to the identification of renoprotective measures.

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid ...

A Graphical User Interface for Software-assisted Tracking of Protein Concentration in Dynamic Cellular Protrusions

Filopodia are dynamic, finger-like cellular protrusions associated with migration and cell-cell communication. In order to better understand the complex signaling mechanisms underlying filopodial initiation, elongation and subsequent stabilization or retraction, it is crucial to determine the spatio-temporal protein activity in these dynamic structures. To analyze protein function in filopodia, we recently developed a semi-automated tracking algorithm that adapts to filopodial shape-changes, thus allowing parallel analysis of protrusion dynamics and relative protein concentration along the whole filopodial length. Here, we present a detailed step-by-step protocol for optimized cell handling, image acquisition and software analysis. We further provide instructions for the use of optional features during image analysis and data representation, as well as troubleshooting guidelines for all critical steps along the way. Finally, we also include a comparison of the described image analysis software with other programs available for filopodia quantification. Together, the presented protocol provides a framework for accurate analysis of protein dynamics in filopodial protrusions using image analysis software.

We present a software solution for semi-automated tracking of relative protein concentration along the length of dynamic cellular protrusions.

Filopodia are dynamic, finger-like cellular protrusions associated with migration and cell-cell communication. In order to better understand the complex ...

Lens-free Video Microscopy for the Dynamic and Quantitative Analysis of Adherent Cell Culture

Here, we demonstrate that lens-free video microscopy enables us to simultaneously capture the kinetics of thousands of cells directly inside the incubator and that it is possible to monitor and quantify single cells along several cell cycles. We describe the full protocol used to monitor and quantify a HeLa cell culture for 2.7 days. First, cell culture acquisition is performed with a lens-free video microscope, and then the data is analyzed following a four-step process: multi-wavelength holographic reconstruction, cell-tracking, cell segmentation and cell division detection algorithms. As a result, we show that it is possible to gather a dataset featuring more than 10,000 cell cycle tracks and more than 2 x 106 cell morphological measurements.

Lens-free video microscopy enables us to monitor cell cultures directly inside the incubator. Here we describe the full protocol used to acquire and analyze a 2.7 day long acquisition of cultured HeLa cells, leading to a dataset of 2.2 x 106 measurements of individual cell morphology and 10584 cell cycle tracks.

Here, we demonstrate that lens-free video microscopy enables us to simultaneously capture the kinetics of thousands of cells directly inside the incubator ...

Co-immunoprecipitation Assay Using Endogenous Nuclear Proteins from Cells Cultured Under Hypoxic Conditions

Low oxygen levels (hypoxia) trigger a variety of adaptive responses with the Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) complex acting as a master regulator. HIF-1 consists of a heterodimeric oxygen-regulated &#945; subunit (HIF-1&#945;) and constitutively expressed &#946; subunit (HIF-1&#946;) also known as aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), regulating genes involved in diverse processes including angiogenesis, erythropoiesis and glycolysis. The identification of HIF-1 interacting proteins is key to the understanding of the hypoxia signaling pathway. Besides the regulation of HIF-1&#945; stability, hypoxia also triggers the nuclear translocation of many transcription factors including HIF-1&#945; and ARNT. Notably, most of the current methods used to study such protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are based on systems where protein levels are artificially increased through protein overexpression. Protein overexpression often leads to non-physiological results arising from temporal and spatial artifacts. Here we describe a modified co-immunoprecipitation protocol following hypoxia treatment using endogenous nuclear proteins, and as a proof of concept, to show the interaction between HIF-1&#945; and ARNT. In this protocol, the hypoxic cells were harvested under hypoxic conditions and the Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (DPBS) wash buffer was also pre-equilibrated to hypoxic conditions before usage to mitigate protein degradation or protein complex dissociation during reoxygenation. In addition, the nuclear fractions were subsequently extracted to concentrate and stabilize endogenous nuclear proteins and avoid possible spurious results often seen during protein overexpression. This protocol can be used to demonstrate endogenous and native interactions between transcription factors and transcriptional co-regulators under hypoxic conditions.

Here we describe a co-immunoprecipitation protocol to study protein-protein interactions between endogenous nuclear proteins under hypoxic conditions. This method is suitable for demonstration of the interactions between transcription factors and transcriptional co-regulators at hypoxia.

Low oxygen levels (hypoxia) trigger a variety of adaptive responses with the Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) complex acting as a master regulator. ...