SF1 Reporter Lentivirus

Background

SF-1 (steroidogenic factor 1, encoded by NR5A1) is a nuclear receptor and key transcriptional regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and adrenal axes. It binds SF1 response elements in target gene promoters and controls the expression of genes for steroidogenic enzymes and reproductive hormones, often acting in synergy with cofactors such as GATA4. SF-1 is essential for the development and function of the adrenal glands, gonads, and the ventromedial hypothalamus, and it directs sexual differentiation. Mutations and dysregulation of NR5A1 are implicated in a range of reproductive and endocrine disorders, including adrenal insufficiency and disorders of sex development, making SF-1 an important endocrinology research target.

Product Description & Applications

The SF1 Reporter Lentivirus is a transcription-factor reporter system for detecting SF-1-mediated transcription in mammalian cells. The construct uses tandem repeats of SF1 DNA-binding elements derived from the proximal promoter of the Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) gene, a context that reflects SF-1 activity in synergy with cofactors such as GATA4, coupled to a minimal promoter driving a fluorescent or luminescent reporter. A constitutively expressed selection marker and optional secondary reporter support stable polyclonal reporter cell lines.

Stable lentiviral integration provides consistent reporter expression in dividing and post-mitotic cells, including primary and cryopreserved cultures, avoiding transient-transfection variability. Particles are purified by PEG precipitation and sucrose gradient centrifugation and transduce difficult-to-transfect cells, supporting research on adrenal and reproductive development with readout by microscopy, flow cytometry, or luminometry.

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 SF1 Pathway 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.