Nuclear Run-On Assay Using Biotin Labeling, Magnetic Bead Capture and Analysis by Fluorescence-Based RT-PCR

Abstract

In this report, we present a fluorescencebased approach to the assessment of cellular gene expression and transcription rates. Nuclear run-on was performed by supplying biotin-16-UTP to nuclei, and labeled transcripts were bound to streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. Total cDNA was then synthesized by means of random hexamer primed reverse transcription of captured molecules. To monitor transcript abundance in cDNA, both from nuclear run-on and total RNA, we propose a semiquantitative PCR approach based on the use of fluorescent primers.