Our lab has been trying to generate an RFP labeled MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. RFP is pretty toxic to the cells and generates abnormal clones, and they proliferate much slower than non-labeled cells. Is there a better red fluorophore that is less toxic, or is this a common problem with anything labeled in the red spectrum?
Hello Lisa.
We have established MDA-MB-231-RFP and MCF7 cells-RFP or -GAPDH-RFP fusion gene mutant cells with plasmid vectors for our studies reported 2017. We did dot see such worrying toxicities in the mutant cell lines. You could select appropriate cell line with clear fluorescence in multiple copy-transfectants. In fact, highly-overexpressing-transfectants die due to the expression, making selection easy.
The mutants gave considerable clarity of the cells and heterogeneity even in cloned cell population.
Viral infection may give what you are worrying.
Best wishes.
- Badges
- Science topic