Tet-Inducible Gene Expression HEK 293 Cells

Tetracycline repressor-expressing HEK293 cell line

HEK-RepTor™ cells are derived from the human embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line, a widely used cellular model. These cells were specifically engineered for InvivoGen's TiGer tet-on system.
They are designed for the tetracycline-inducible expression of a gene of interest (GOI), including cytotoxic proteins, such as gasdermin D (see figures).

Description

HEK-RepTor™ cells stably and constitutively express an optimized tetracycline repressor (TetR) construct [1]. They are readily transfectable with a pTiGer plasmid, carrying a gene of interest (GOI), cloned downstream of the tet-inducible CMV-EF1-TRE promoter. GOI expression is induced upon addition of doxycycline, a synthetic analog of the tetracycline antibiotic, leading to the derepression of the CMV-EF1-TRE promoter. Low doxycycline concentration, ranging from 1 to 10 ng/ml, is sufficient for full induction, thus limiting the antibiotic side effects [2].

Key features

• Strong and stable TetR expression for minimal GOI leakiness
• Readily transfectable with a pTiGer-mcs or pTiGer-reporter plasmid
• Strong GOI expression with a low doxycycline dose
   

Applications

pTiGer-transfected RepTor™ cells are useful for, but not restricted to the following applications:

• Controlled expression of cytotoxic genes
• Fine-tuned expression of a GOI
• Screening of toxic protein inhibitors

RepTor™ cells are functionally validated by transient transfection with a pTiGer-reporter plasmid expressing either SEAP or Lucia luciferase. These cells are resistant to Blasticidin. ​They are also extensively tested for viability, stability, and absence of mycoplasma to ensure strong and reproducible results. 
For your convenience, RepTor™ cells are shipped with 1 mg of doxycycline and 10 mg of blasticidin.

Learn more about InvivoGen's TiGer Tet-on system.

References:

1. Hillen, W., Wissmann, A. (1989). Tet repressor-tet operator interaction. Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-09871-2_7.
2. Luger, AL., et al., (2018). Doxycycline Impairs Mitochondrial Function and Protects Human Glioma Cells from Hypoxia-Induced Cell Death: Implications of Using Tet-Inducible Systems. Int J Mol Sci, 19(5):1504.