Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
Published on: December 19, 2018
DNA-Protein-Interaction (DPI)-ELISA Assay for PPAR-γ Receptor Binding
M Valeria Catani1, Valentina Tullio1, Mauro Maccarrone2,3
1Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Dysregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ has been described in a plethora of pathological conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, inflammatory-related diseases, and cancer. Therefore, identifying novel drugs that are able to restore PPAR-γ activity is a current challenge, which is however slowed down by the lack of a rapid and reproducible activity assay. To date, only a few methods are able to characterize PPAR-γ activity and most of them are expensive, time-consuming, and not always quantitative.Herein, we presented a sensitive multi-well colorimetric assay, termed DNA-Protein-Interaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DPI-ELISA). This method is based on the ELISA principle, except that it allows to detect only activated PPAR-γ because, unlike classical ELISA, PPAR-γ is not captured by an antibody but by a double-stranded oligonucleotide probe containing its peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPRE) consensus sequence. Thus, DPI-ELISA represents a useful assay for PPAR-γ studies, as well as for the identification of novel PPAR-γ ligands for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to human diseases where PPAR-γ signaling is dysregulated.
Insights
Researchers developed a new assay to quickly measure the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ. This DNA-Protein-Interaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DPI-ELISA) aids in finding new drugs for diseases linked to PPAR-γ dysregulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ dysregulation is implicated in diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and cancer.
- Current methods for assessing PPAR-γ activity are often costly, time-consuming, and lack quantitative accuracy.
- There is a need for a rapid and reliable assay to study PPAR-γ activity and identify therapeutic ligands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and reproducible assay for measuring PPAR-γ activity.
- To facilitate the identification of novel PPAR-γ ligands for therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- A novel colorimetric assay, DNA-Protein-Interaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DPI-ELISA), was developed.
- This assay utilizes a double-stranded oligonucleotide probe with the PPRE consensus sequence to capture activated PPAR-γ, differing from traditional antibody-based ELISA.
- The method is based on ELISA principles but specifically detects activated PPAR-γ.
Main Results:
- The DPI-ELISA assay demonstrated sensitivity in detecting PPAR-γ activity.
- The assay allows for the specific detection of activated PPAR-γ by using a DNA probe instead of an antibody for capture.
- This method provides a quantitative measure of PPAR-γ activity.
Conclusions:
- The DPI-ELISA is a valuable tool for studying PPAR-γ.
- This assay can accelerate the discovery of novel PPAR-γ ligands.
- The DPI-ELISA supports the development of therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with PPAR-γ signaling dysregulation.

