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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells
Published on: July 3, 2013
Establishment of a luciferase-based method for measuring cancer cell adhesion and proliferation
Stine Bull Jessen1, Derya Coskun Özkul2, Yasemin Özen2
1Department of Science and Environment, Enhanced Perioperative Oncology (EPeOnc) Consortium, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark; Center for Surgical Science, Enhanced Perioperative Oncology (EPeOnc) Consortium, Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, 4600, Køge, Denmark.
Background:
Methods measuring cell proliferation and adhesion are widely used but each hold limitations. We, therefore, introduce novel methods for measuring cell proliferation and adhesion based on CRISPR-modified cancer cell lines secreting luciferase to the growth media.
Materials And Methods:
Using CRISPR genome editing, we generated stable luciferase-secreting LS174T, HCT 116, Caco-2, and PANC-1 cell lines. The modified cells were seeded, and luciferase activity was measured in the media and compared to Coulter counter cell counts and iCELLigence impedance assay to evaluate the value of the secreted luciferase activities as a measurement for adhesion and proliferation.
Results:
Our results demonstrate that luciferase secreted into the media can be used quantifying cell proliferation and adhesion. The adhesion luciferase assay and the iCELLigence impedance assay showed similar results with increased significant difference observed in the luciferase assays. The luciferase proliferation assay showed increased growth following increased serum concentrations in all cell lines vs. only two cell lines in the iCELLigence impedance assay.
Conclusions:
Our results show that the luciferase adhesion and proliferation assays are reliable methods for measuring adhesion and proliferation. The luciferase assays have advantages over existing assays as they are highly sensitive, easy to perform, non-invasive and suitable as high-throughput measurements.
