Array-based high-throughput screening in mouse embryonic stem cells with shRNAs

Curr Protoc Stem Cell Biol. 2013 Sep 20:26:5C.3.1-5C.3.19. doi: 10.1002/9780470151808.sc05c03s26.

Abstract

High-throughput short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentivirus screening is a powerful tool for identifying multiple functional regulators in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). shRNA libraries can efficiently down-regulate target genes persistently with high efficiency. The concurrent measurement of relative cell number by alamarBlue (AB) assay and undifferentiated ESC markers via an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay in the same cell culture well provides an efficient and economical way to pinpoint factors crucial for ESC pluripotency and/or expansion. Most of the renewal pathways affect ALP activity. Thus, multiple positive and negative regulators can be identified by this method. In addition, morphological changes and/or the expression levels of specific pluripotency or differentiation markers examined by immunofluorescence can be used as secondary screens for target-gene selection. In summary, we describe an efficient way to identify multiple regulators of ESC renewal using shRNAs. Curr. Protoc.

Keywords: RNA interference; embryonic stem cells; high-throughput screening; short-hairpin RNA.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Shape
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Feeder Cells / cytology
  • Feeder Cells / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods*
  • Lentivirus / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microarray Analysis / methods*
  • Oxazines / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Xanthenes / metabolism

Substances

  • Oxazines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Xanthenes
  • resazurin
  • Alkaline Phosphatase