Gene Expression System

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Stanford Reference: 06-010 Abstract Stanford University scientists have developed a highly sensitive, patented system for expressing target genes in a tightly regulatable manner, with little background expression. This gene expression system can be used in vitro for high throughput screening of estrogen receptor (ER) ligand libraries to investigate their cancer, osteoporosis or hormone replacement therapeutic properties. Additionally, it can be used to screen new drugs or environmental pollutants for estrogen binding properties. The system can also be used in vivo when combined with a novel mutant ER, identified by the same research group. Applications Research tool - can facilitate: evaluation of gene regulation and expression in mammalian cells either in vitro or in vivo investigations into the role of the estrogen receptor pathway in different pathological conditions Small molecule screening - can be used for: rapid screening of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with anticancer, anti-osteoporosis and hormone replacement therapeutic properties screening unknown drugs and environmental pollutants for estrogenic effects Gene therapy - enables sensitive, specific expression of targeted genes Advantages Sensitive, with low background signal - transactivation occurs directly in response to ER ligands, so there is little activation from other pathways Flexible multiple ligands can be used for activation the system maintains sensitivity in mammalian cells, both in vitro and in vivo can identify either agonists or antagonists