A quantitative method for detection of spliced X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) mRNA as a measure of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress

Cell Stress Chaperones. 2012 Mar;17(2):275-9. doi: 10.1007/s12192-011-0306-2. Epub 2011 Oct 31.

Abstract

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is increasingly recognized as an important mechanism in a wide range of diseases including cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, there is an increased need for reliable and quantitative markers for detection of ER stress in human tissues and cells. Accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum can cause ER stress, which leads to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR signaling involves splicing of X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) mRNA, which is frequently used as a marker for ER stress. In most studies, the splicing of the XBP1 mRNA is visualized by gel electrophoresis which is laborious and difficult to quantify. In the present study, we have developed and validated a quantitative real-time RT-PCR method to detect the spliced form of XBP1 mRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Stress, Physiological* / drug effects
  • Thapsigargin / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tunicamycin / pharmacology
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1
  • XBP1 protein, human
  • Tunicamycin
  • Thapsigargin