Flexi Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate System

Translation Optimization for Mg2+ and K+ Concentrations

The Flexi® Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate System allows translation reactions to be optimized for a wide range of parameters, including Mg²⁺ and K⁺ concentrations and the choice to add or omit DTT. To help optimize Mg²⁺ for a specific message, the endogenous Mg²⁺ concentration of each lysate batch is stated in the product information included with this product. The Flexi® System also offers the choice of three amino acid mixtures and includes a control RNA encoding the firefly luciferase gene.

The Flexi® Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate  System, when optimized, can increase the quantity of protein produced as much as fourfold over a standard lysate reaction. The Flexi® System contains three Amino Acid Mixtures, enabling different choices of radioisotopes. Luciferase Control RNA and Luciferase Assay Reagent are included with the system as a functional control (only full-length luciferase is active).

For more information, see the Protocols & Applications Guide.

Applications:

• Optimizing translation of low-expressing messages.
• Oxidizing environment can be adjusted, which may be important for maintaining functional activity related to disulfide bridges.
• Luciferase activity can be used for the detection of inhibitory contaminants in RNA preparations.
• Investigation of translational control.
• Screening of chemical libraries for effect on translation.

Reference:

1. Beckler, G.S. et al. (1995) Methods in Molecular Biology 37, 215–32.