The DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 AffiVECTOR is a specialized expression vector used for transfecting mammalian cells. This vector encodes a variant of the survivin protein, specifically the ΔEx3 version, which is a deletion mutant lacking exon 3. This particular variant of survivin is often utilized in research focusing on cancer biology due to its role in inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation.
The DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 AffiVECTOR is a highly specialized tool used in molecular and cellular biology research. Here's an expanded technical overview to give you a deeper understanding:
Structure and Composition
The DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 AffiVECTOR is a plasmid vector based on the pcDNA3 backbone. This vector has been engineered to express a specific variant of the survivin protein where exon 3 is deleted. The key features include:
- Backbone: pcDNA3, which is commonly used for high-level expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells.
- Insert: The ΔEx3 variant of survivin. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein that plays a significant role in cell division and inhibition of cell death.
- Selection Marker: Typically, the pcDNA3 backbone includes a neomycin resistance gene for selection in mammalian cells and an ampicillin resistance gene for selection in bacterial cells (CH3 BioSystems) (CH3 BioSystems).
Functionality and Applications
The primary purpose of using the DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 vector is to study the biological effects and mechanisms of the survivin protein, specifically the ΔEx3 variant, in mammalian cells:
- Cancer Research: Survivin is highly expressed in most cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. The ΔEx3 variant is particularly interesting because it lacks exon 3, which may alter its function compared to the full-length protein. Studies using this vector can help elucidate how this variant influences cell survival, apoptosis, and proliferation (CH3 BioSystems) (CH3 BioSystems).
- Apoptosis Studies: By transfecting cells with this vector, researchers can observe changes in apoptotic pathways, helping to understand how survivin variants contribute to cancer cell resistance to apoptosis (CH3 BioSystems).
- Therapeutic Development: Understanding the role of different survivin variants can aid in the development of targeted therapies. If a particular variant is found to be more critical in tumor survival, it can be targeted specifically to develop more effective cancer treatments (CH3 BioSystems).
Transfection and Expression
The vector is designed for efficient transfection and high-level expression in mammalian cells:
- Transfection Methods: Common methods include lipofection, calcium phosphate precipitation, and electroporation. The choice of method can depend on the cell type and the specific experimental requirements.
- Expression: Once transfected, the vector uses the strong CMV promoter in pcDNA3 to drive high-level expression of the survivin ΔEx3 variant. This robust expression system ensures sufficient protein production for various downstream applications such as Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and functional assays (CH3 BioSystems) (CH3 BioSystems).
Storage and Handling
Proper storage and handling are crucial to maintaining the integrity and functionality of the plasmid:
- Storage Conditions: Plasmid DNA should be stored at -20°C to -80°C. Bacterial stocks containing the plasmid should be stored at -80°C. Before use, the plasmid DNA should be expanded in a bacterial culture and purified using a standard plasmid preparation method (CH3 BioSystems) (CH3 BioSystems).
- Handling Precautions: As with all genetic material, care should be taken to avoid contamination. Use sterile techniques and proper laboratory protocols to handle the plasmid and bacterial cultures.
Additional Products and Variants
The DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 vector is part of a broader range of survivin-related products:
- Other Variants: There are several other survivin variants available, such as the C84A and T34A mutants, which are used to study different aspects of survivin's function and regulation (CH3 BioSystems) (CH3 BioSystems).
- Fluorescent Tags: Some variants are fused with fluorescent proteins like EGFP to facilitate visualization and localization studies in live cells (CH3 BioSystems).
The DNA3-Survivin ΔEx3 AffiVECTOR is a powerful tool for cancer research and apoptosis studies. By providing a means to express the survivin ΔEx3 variant in mammalian cells, it enables detailed investigation into the roles and mechanisms of survivin in cell survival and proliferation. This can ultimately contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting survivin in cancer.