| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Product Type | |
| Reporter | |
| Selection Marker | Blasticidin, Hygromycin, Puromycin, Zeocin |
| Shipping | |
| Species |
Background
MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) is a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor and the master regulator of the melanocyte lineage. The melanocyte-specific isoform, MITF-M, controls melanocyte development, survival, and pigmentation by activating genes such as tyrosinase. MITF exists as multiple isoforms with cell-type-specific expression and is regulated at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels by upstream signaling pathways including Wnt/beta-catenin and BRAF/ERK. In melanoma, MITF acts as a lineage-survival oncogene, and its activity influences the balance between proliferative and invasive cell states. These roles make MITF a central focus in pigmentation biology and melanoma research.
Product Description & Applications
The MITF Reporter Lentivirus is a transcription-factor reporter system for robust detection of MITF-M transcriptional activity in human and mouse cells. It uses multiple MITF response elements derived from the tyrosinase promoter to drive a fluorescent or luminescent reporter, with options including GFP, RFP, mCherry, BFP2, firefly luciferase, Gaussia luciferase, Renilla luciferase, and dual fluorescent-luciferase configurations. A constitutively expressed selection marker enables stable polyclonal cell line generation, with readout by microscopy, flow cytometry, or luminometry.
Applications include studying melanocyte differentiation, MITF regulation by Wnt and MAPK signaling, and melanoma biology. Particles are purified by PEG precipitation and sucrose gradient centrifugation, making them effective in difficult-to-transfect primary and thawed cells.
About This Product
This reporter lentivirus places a BFP2, d2GFP, EGFP, Firefly Luc, Gaussia Luc, GFP, GFP + Firefly Luc, mCherry, Renilla Luc, RFP, RFP + Firefly Luc reporter gene under the control of tandem consensus response elements specific for the MITF transcription factor, coupled to a minimal TATA-box promoter and a proprietary upstream enhancer that maximizes signal-to-noise. The constitutively expressed selection marker (Blasticidin, Hygromycin, Puromycin, Zeocin) and/or secondary reporter enables stable polyclonal cell line generation and flexible readout by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, or luminometry.
Stable integration via the lentiviral backbone ensures consistent, clonally representative reporter expression in dividing and post-mitotic target cells — including primary T cells, macrophages, organoids, and cryopreserved material — eliminating the variability inherent to transient transfection. The self-inactivating LTR design and third-generation packaging minimize insertional mutagenesis risk and ensure biosafety classification at BSL-2.
Can't find the lentiviral construct you need, or want to adjust key design elements? Contact us to discuss custom LV design and optional add-ons.
Common customization requests
- Insert / payload: replace the gene/sequence, swap to a different isoform, add mutations, or optimize cloning features.
- Expression design: change promoter (e.g., CMV/EF1α/PGK), add enhancers, or adjust regulatory elements.
- Reporters: add/swap GFP/RFP/mCherry/luciferase (single or dual reporters where applicable).
- Selection markers: add/swap puromycin/blasticidin/neomycin or fluorescent selection options.
- Vector format: switch between OE, shRNA, CRISPR (sgRNA/Cas systems), or control vectors (where supported).
Add-ons you can request
- Control viruses: empty vector, non-targeting shRNA, reporter-only controls, or matched backbone controls.
- Packaging / format: concentration options, aliquoting, or custom fill volume for screening workflows.
- Documentation: construct map/sequence confirmation package (as available) and batch documentation.
What to include in your request
- Target cell type/model (cell line or primary cells) and intended readout (reporter, knockdown, OE, etc.)
- Insert sequence (FASTA) or reference ID, plus any required tags/mutations
- Promoter, reporter, and selection marker preferences
- Desired scale and preferred format (aliquots / concentration requests)
Email us at support@biohippo.com or use the Talk to a Scientist request form.
