N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a stress response protein involved in cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and metastasis suppression. It functions as a tumor suppressor in some contexts, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, while paradoxically supporting tumor progression in others through its regulation of iron metabolism. NDRG1 is upregulated in response to various cellular stresses, including hypoxia, DNA damage, and heavy metal exposure, aiding in cellular adaptation. It is widely expressed in various tissues and plays roles in cell growth, differentiation, lipid metabolism, and vesicular trafficking. NDRG1 expression is altered in cancers such as pancreatic, prostate, and colorectal cancer, where its role is context-dependent.
The AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra Human Total NDRG1 Detection Kit is a sandwich immunoassay for the quantitative detection of total NDRG1 in cellular lysates, using Alpha Technology.
Formats:
The HV (high volume) kit contains reagents to run 100 wells in 96-well format, using a 60 μL reaction volume.
The 500-point kit contains enough reagents to run 500 wells in 384-well format, using a 20 μL reaction volume.
The 10,000-point kit contains enough reagents to run 10,000 wells in 384-well format, using a 20 μL reaction volume.
The 50,000-point kit contains enough reagents to run 50,000 wells in 384-well format, using a 20 μL reaction volume.
AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra kits are compatible with:
Cell and tissue lysates
Antibody modulators
Biotherapeutic antibodies
AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra kits can be used for:
Cellular kinase assays
Receptor activation studies
High-throughput screening for preclinical studies
Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assay principle
The Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assay measures the expression level of a target protein in a biological sample (e.g. cell lysate).
The Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assay uses two antibodies which recognize two different distal epitopes on the target protein. AlphaLISA assays require two bead types: Acceptor and Donor Beads. Acceptor Beads are coated with a proprietary CaptSure™ agent to specifically immobilize the assay specific antibody, labeled with a CaptSure tag. Donor Beads are coated with streptavidin to capture one of the detection antibodies, which is biotinylated. In the presence of target protein, the two antibodies bring the Donor and Acceptor Beads in close proximity whereby the singlet oxygen transfers energy to excite the Acceptor Bead, allowing for the generation of a luminescent Alpha signal. The amount of light emission is directly proportional to the quantity of protein present in the sample.
Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra two-plate assay protocol
The two-plate protocol involves culturing and treating the cells in a 96-well plate before lysis, then transferring lysates into a 384-well OptiPlate™ plate before the addition of Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra detection reagents. This protocol enables cell viability and confluence to be monitored. In addition, lysates from a single well can be used to measure multiple targets.
Total-AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra one-plate assay protocol
Detection of Total target protein with AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra reagents can be performed in a single plate used for culturing, treatment, and lysis. No washing steps are required. This HTS designed protocol allows for miniaturization while maintaining robust AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra quality.
Regulation of NDRG1 activity in endogenous cellular models
HeLa and A431 cells were seeded separately in a 96-well plate (40,000 and 60,000 cells/well respectively) in complete medium, and incubated overnight at 37°C, 5% CO2. The cells were treated with increasing concentrations of Dp44mT, an iron chelator with antitumor activity, for 18 hours.
After treatment, the cells were lysed with 100 µL of Lysis Buffer for 10 minutes at RT with shaking (350 rpm). Phospho (Ser330 and Thr346) and Total NDRG1 levels were evaluated using respective AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assays. Lysates were further diluted 1:5 in Lysis Buffer for analysis. For the detection step, 10 µL of cell lysate (approximately 800 HeLa cells and 1,200 A431 cells) was transferred into a 384-well white OptiPlate, followed by 5 µL of Acceptor mix and incubated for 1 hour at RT. Finally, 5 µL of Donor mix was then added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at RT in the dark. The plate was read on an Envision using standard AlphaLISA settings.
As expected, Dp44mT triggered a dose-dependent increase in the levels of Phospho (Ser330 and Thr346) and Total NDRG1 while Total Cofilin remained unchanged (data not shown).
Validation of Total NDRG1 levels in endogenous cellular models
HeLa cells were seeded in a 96-well plate (40,000 cells/well) in complete medium, and incubated overnight at 37°C, 5% CO2. The cells were treated with increasing concentrations of Wortmannin for 18 hours.
After treatment, the cells were lysed with 100 µL of Lysis Buffer for 10 minutes at RT with shaking (350 rpm). NDRG1 Phospho (Thr346) and Total levels were evaluated using respective AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assays. For the detection step, 10 µL of cell lysate (approximately 4,000 cells) was transferred into a 384-well white OptiPlate, followed by 5 µL of Acceptor mix and incubated for 1 hour at RT. Finally, 5 µL of Donor mix was then added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at RT in the dark. The plate was read on an Envision using standard AlphaLISA settings.
As expected, Wortmannin triggered a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of Phospho (Thr346) NDRG1 while Total levels remained unchanged.
HeLa cells were seeded in a 96-well plate (40,000 cells/well) in complete medium, and incubated overnight at 37°C, 5% CO2. The cells were treated with increasing concentrations of AZD8055, a mTOR inhibitor, in serum free media, for 2 hours.
After treatment, the cells were lysed with 100 µL of Lysis Buffer for 10 minutes at RT with shaking (350 rpm). NDRG1 Phospho (Thr346) and Total levels were evaluated using respective AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra assays. For the detection step, 10 µL of cell lysate (approximately 4,000 cells) was transferred into a 384-well white OptiPlate, followed by 5 µL of Acceptor mix and incubated for 1 hour at RT. Finally, 5 µL of Donor mix was then added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at RT in the dark. The plate was read on an Envision using standard AlphaLISA settings.
As expected, AZD8055 triggered a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of Phospho (Thr346) NDRG1 while Total levels remained unchanged.
Expression levels of NDRG1 in a variety of cell types
Adherent cells were seeded in a 96-well culture plate (40,000 cells/well) in complete medium, incubated overnight at 37°C, 5% CO2, and lysed with 200 µL of Lysis Buffer. Suspension cells were seeded in a 96 well plate (400,000 cells/well), spun down and lysed with 200 µL of Lysis Buffer.
Total NDRG1 levels were evaluated by AlphaLISA SureFire Ultra. For the detection step, 10 µL (approximately 2,000 adherent cells and 20,000 suspension cells) of cell lysate was transferred into a 384-well white OptiPlate, followed by 5 µL of Acceptor Mix and incubated for 1 hour at RT. Finally, 5 µL of Donor Mix was then added to each well and incubated for 1 hour at RT in the dark. The plate was read on an Envision using standard AlphaLISA settings.
Variable NDRG1 expression was observed in the tested cell lines.
