| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Form | Liquid |
| Function | |
| Plasmid Backbone | |
| Product Type | |
| Production System | |
| Promoter | |
| Reporter | |
| Storage |
Overview
Ad-r-TLR3-shRNA is a replication-defective recombinant Ad5 adenovirus driving short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression — an shRNA cassette targeting r-TLR3 — under a U6 Pol III promoter for stable, efficient knockdown. Adenoviral delivery enables shRNA-mediated silencing in difficult-to-transfect cell types and in vivo tissues where transient transfection is inefficient.
Key elements and design rationale
- Backbone: Human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) with E1 and E3 deleted (dE1/E3). Replication-incompetent in standard cells; replication-competent helper cells (HEK293) are required for amplification.
- Promoter (U6): a Pol III promoter that drives short non-coding RNA (shRNA/sgRNA) expression.
- Transgene: r-TLR3-shRNA (eGFP tag).
- Titer & format: 1×1010 PFU/ml in storage buffer (DMEM, 2% BSA, 2.5% glycerol or equivalent), supplied as a 200 µL aliquot.
- shRNA cassette: Pol III-driven hairpin expression for stable knockdown; the transcribed shRNA is processed into a functional siRNA by Dicer and loaded into RISC for sequence-specific mRNA cleavage or translational repression.
Biological background
This is an pre-made gene silencing adenovirus that expresses a shRNA to knockdown rat TLR3 gene. The shRNA expression is driven by an U6 promoter.
The knockdown of this rat gene was validated by PCR in CLR-2018 cells.
Research relevance and current trends
- Used in immunology research to manipulate cytokine signaling, pattern recognition, or transcription factor pathways.
- Decision-relevant for researchers studying Pattern Recognition.
- Adenovirus-mediated delivery is well-established in primary cells, organoids, and small-animal models.
Common research applications
- Loss-of-function knockdown in cell lines and primary cells.
- Pathway interrogation paired with matched scrambled-shRNA controls.
- In vivo knockdown via tissue-targeted intravenous or local delivery.
Notes for experimental interpretation
- Confirm target depletion at the protein level (Western blot) in addition to mRNA-level (qPCR), and verify with a non-targeting scrambled-shRNA control.
- Adenoviral delivery is episomal and non-integrating; expression dilutes with cell division and typically lasts 1–2 weeks in dividing cells (longer in non-dividing cells such as hepatocytes, neurons, and cardiomyocytes).
- Pre-existing anti-Ad5 neutralizing antibodies are common in human and primate hosts and can reduce in vivo transduction; this is less relevant in inbred laboratory mouse strains.
- MOI optimization is essential — over-dosing can cause cytopathic effects; under-dosing yields incomplete transduction. A 3–5× MOI titration in your specific cell or animal model is recommended.
- Replication-defective Ad5 vectors are typically handled at BSL-2; consult your institutional biosafety officer for specific transgenes and routes of use.
The Adenovirus Genome
The adenovirus genome is a linear double-stranded DNA molecule of 26–46 kb that encodes 23–46 proteins (Figure 1). These genes are split into two functional categories:
- Early genes (E1–E4): encode proteins involved in viral transcription, viral DNA replication, and suppression of the host immune response.
- Late genes (L1–L5): encode viral capsid components and proteins required for capsid assembly.
These genes are flanked by inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that initiate viral DNA replication and serve as binding sites for transcription factors.
Adenovirus Capsid and Serotypes
The adenovirus capsid is a non-enveloped icosahedral protein shell of approximately 70–90 nm in diameter, built from three major capsid proteins — hexon, penton base, and fiber — together with the minor proteins IIIa, VI, VIII, and IX (Figure 5). The 240 hexon trimers form the 20 triangular facets of the icosahedron, while 12 penton complexes occupy each vertex; each penton consists of a penton base anchored in the capsid and a trimeric fiber projecting outward. The fiber knob mediates initial attachment to host cell receptors, and the penton base then engages cellular integrins to drive internalization.
More than 50 human adenovirus serotypes have been characterized and are organized into seven species (A–G) based on hemagglutination, sequence homology, and receptor usage. Serotype determines tropism and primary receptor:
- Species C (e.g., Ad2, Ad5): bind the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR); broad tropism with strong transduction of liver and many epithelial cell types. Ad5 is the most widely used backbone in research and gene-delivery applications.
- Species B (e.g., Ad3, Ad11, Ad35): use CD46 as the primary receptor, giving access to cell types that express low levels of CAR.
- Species D: several members use sialic acid; some serotypes are associated with ocular tropism.
The replication-defective recombinant adenoviruses used as research vectors are typically derived from Ad5, with E1 (and often E3) deleted to render the virus non-replicative and to create space for transgene insertion.
What is this product?
Ad-r-TLR3-shRNA is a replication-defective recombinant Ad5 driving short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression against the indicated target under a U6 Pol III promoter for stable, efficient knockdown. Adenoviral delivery enables shRNA-mediated silencing in difficult-to-transfect cell types and in vivo tissues.
How should I store and handle the virus?
Stocks are supplied at 1×1010 PFU/ml in storage buffer (typically 10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 2 mM MgCl2, 4% sucrose or similar). Store at −80 °C upon receipt, and aliquot before first use to minimize freeze-thaw cycles — recombinant adenovirus loses ~10–20% of infectious titer per freeze-thaw and should be limited to ≤3 cycles for quantitative work. Thaw on ice and dilute into pre-warmed culture medium immediately before infection.
Biosafety: Replication-defective Ad5 vectors are typically handled at BSL-2; consult your institutional biosafety officer for the specific transgene and route of use.
What MOI should I start with?
Optimal MOI varies by cell type, but useful starting ranges are:
- Most cell lines (HEK293, HeLa, U2OS, HepG2, etc.): MOI 10–100
- Primary cells (hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts): MOI 50–500
- Resistant or low-CAR cells (some lymphocytes, hematopoietic): MOI 500–2000 (may give limited transduction; consider Ad5/35 fiber modification if available)
Worked example. To infect 1×106 cells at MOI 100 from a 1×1010 PFU/ml stock: PFU needed = 100 × 106 = 1×108 PFU; volume needed = 10 µl of stock. Always run a 3–5× MOI titration in your specific cell model to identify the dose that gives near-100% transduction without cytopathic effect.
When can I expect expression / activity?
Knockdown typically reaches near-maximum levels by 48–72 hours post-infection at appropriate MOI, with onset visible within 24 hours. Adenoviral delivery does not integrate, so knockdown is sustained while the episomal vector persists — usually 1–2 weeks in dividing cells (longer in non-dividing cells). Confirm target depletion at the protein level (Western blot) and not just at the mRNA level (qPCR), since shRNA-mediated effects on protein can lag mRNA changes by 24–48 hours.
What controls should I run?
For RNAi experiments, include all of the following:
- Ad-U6-Scrambled-shRNA (or Ad-CMV-Scrambled) — non-targeting shRNA control matched on promoter and dose.
- Ad-CMV-Null or Ad-Blank — vector-only capsid/dose control.
- Ad-CMV-GFP at matched MOI — transduction-efficiency reference.
Confirm knockdown by Western blot (protein) in addition to qPCR (mRNA), and verify that off-target shRNAs targeting unrelated mRNAs phenocopy your experimental shRNA.
Can't find the adenovirus you need—or require a custom design and packaging service? We offer end-to-end adenoviral support for diverse research needs, including vector design and cloning, adenovirus construction for over-expression (from your plasmid, sequence, or RefSeq#), shRNA-silencing adenoviruses (from a working shRNA or via shRNA screening when you only have the target gene), and gRNA adenoviruses (from a gRNA cassette or sequence). Custom plasmid construction typically takes ~2 weeks, with viral packaging, purification, and QC adding another 2–4 weeks. Final stocks are CsCl-purified and PFU-titered, with deliverables of approximately 1×1012 viral particles (1×1010–1×1011 PFU). We also provide amplification and CsCl purification services at medium scale (~1×1010–5×1010 PFU/IFU in 2 mL, ~2 weeks; ideal for in vitro studies) and large scale (5×1012–1×1013 viral particles / 1–3×1011 PFU, ~2–3 weeks; ideal for in vivo studies) — including amplification of customer-supplied viral stocks. Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support. Our team will be in contact with you shortly.
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