Epigenetics Research Tools
Transcription factor activity assays measure active, DNA-binding transcription factor directly from your nuclear extract. The format you choose sets whether detection is ELISA-based colorimetric (single-TF ELISA) or probe-based with plate hybridisation and HRP/luminescence readout (multiplex profiling arrays).
In the single-TF ELISA format, the transcription factor is captured on the coated plate and read colorimetrically; multiplex profiling arrays use probe hybridisation and a luminescent (RLU) readout. This combines good sensitivity with a plate-reader workflow your lab can run without extra equipment.
Multiplex plate arrays let you profile 48 or 96 distinct transcription factor binding activities from a single nuclear extract preparation. This makes them useful for pathway-wide screening after a treatment or perturbation. Focused arrays target stem cell-relevant transcription factors, covering pluripotency and differentiation regulators in a smaller panel suited to your developmental biology work.
For cell-based readouts, stable luciferase reporter cell lines integrate a transcription factor-responsive promoter upstream of a luciferase construct. This gives you a ready-to-use system for drug screening, without transient transfection. Single-plex ELISA-format assays are also available for individual transcription factors, for a targeted, quantitative measurement from your nuclear extract.
Together, these tools cover the cell-free and cell-based formats you are likely to need. They support DNA binding assay work and your transcription factor regulatory network studies.
Parent category: epigenetics research kits
Signalling pathway activation
You can profile changes in NF-kB, AP-1, CREB, STAT1, and STAT3 DNA-binding activity from a single nuclear extract after cytokine or growth factor stimulation.
Pathway-wide TF profiling
48-plex or 96-plex activation arrays screen many transcription factors at once from a single nuclear extract, useful for unbiased screening after a treatment or perturbation.
Stem cell and differentiation research
As iPSC-derived cells are reprogrammed or directed to differentiate, you can monitor the activation state of OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and lineage-specific TFs.
Drug mechanism of action
TF binding activity before and after treatment with kinase inhibitors, glucocorticoids, or nuclear receptor agonists maps which transcriptional programmes are affected in your compound screen.
Nuclear receptor pharmacology
Stable luciferase reporter cell lines under nuclear receptor-responsive promoters screen your compound libraries for agonist or antagonist activity, without transient transfection variability.
Targeted single-factor validation
A pre-configured single-TF ELISA kit, with a consensus-oligo-coated plate and matched antibodies, gives a quantitative single-factor readout, ideal for confirming a hit from your broader cell-based assay screen.
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A TF plate array uses wells pre-coated with consensus DNA-binding sequences for each TF. You add nuclear extract, and active TF-DNA complexes form. Bound TF is then detected with a specific primary antibody, followed by an HRP-conjugated secondary antibody and a colorimetric or luminescent readout, depending on the array format.
This approach is non-radioactive. It reads binding activity from a single extract in one plate run, without gel shifts.
Protein abundance, measured by western blot or mass spectrometry, reflects total TF levels. It does not show whether the protein is in an active, DNA-binding conformation.
Binding activity assays capture only the fraction of TF that can engage its consensus element. This is the functionally relevant pool. Post-translational modification, nuclear localisation, and co-factor availability all affect activity independently of total protein level.
Most single-factor TF ELISA assays and multiplex plate arrays are optimised for 2 to 20 micrograms of nuclear extract protein per well. The exact amount depends on TF expression level in the cell type.
Nuclear extraction kits validated for these assays typically process 2 to 10 million cells. This yields enough extract for multiple array runs from one preparation.
Yes. The assay measures active, DNA-binding competent TF rather than total protein. So inhibitors that block nuclear translocation, DNA-binding domain accessibility, or co-factor interaction produce clear reductions in signal, without changing total TF abundance.
This makes the format well suited to ranking compound potency at the nuclear level, before downstream gene expression or cell viability readouts.
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