Phospho-ULK1 (Ser757mouse/Ser758human) assay principle

The Phospho-ULK1 (Ser757mouse/Ser758human) assay measures ULK1 when phosphorylated at Ser757mouse/Ser758human. Contrary to Western Blot, the assay is entirely plate-based and does not require gels, electrophoresis or transfer. The Phospho-ULK1 (Ser757mouse/Ser758human) assay uses 2 labeled antibodies: one with a donor fluorophore, the other one with an acceptor. The first antibody is selected for its specific binding to the phosphorylated motif on the protein, the second for its ability to recognize the protein independent of its phosphorylation state. Protein phosphorylation enables an immune-complex formation involving both labeled antibodies and which brings the donor fluorophore into close proximity to the acceptor, thereby generating a FRET signal. Its intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of phosphorylated protein present in the sample, and provides a means of assessing the proteins phosphorylation state under a no-wash assay format.

Phospho-ULK1 (Ser757mouse/Ser758human) 2-plate assay protocol

The 2 plate protocol involves culturing cells in a 96-well plate before lysis then transferring lysates to a 384-well low volume detection plate before adding Phospho-ULK1 HTRF detection reagents. This protocol enables the cells' viability and confluence to be monitored.

Phospho-ULK1 (Ser757mouse/Ser758human) 1-plate assay protocol

Detection of Phosphorylated ULK1with HTRF reagents can be performed in a single plate used for culturing, stimulation and lysis. No washing steps are required. This HTS designed protocol enables miniaturization while maintaining robust HTRF quality.

HTRF assay vs Western Blot using phospho-ULK1 cellular assay

HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells were cultured for 2 days at until 80% confluency was reached. The cells were then lysed with supplemented lysis buffer and soluble supernatants were collected via centrifugation. Serial dilutions of the cell lysate were performed in the supplemented lysis buffer and transferred into a 384-well low volume white microplate before finally adding HTRF phospho-ULK1 kit reagents. A side by side comparison of Western Blot and HTRF demonstrated the HTRF assay is 4-fold more sensitive than the Western Blot.

Autophagy upregulation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using the mTOR inhibitor Torin 1

MCF-7 cells were plated at 100,000 cells/well in a 96-well plate, and incubated for 24h at 37°C, 5% CO2. After treatment for 5 hours with increasing concentrations of Torin 1, the medium was removed and cells were lysed with 50 µL of supplemented lysis buffer #4 for 30 minutes at RT under gentle shaking. 16 µL of lysate were transferred into a 384-well low volume white microplate and 4 µL of the HTRF phospho-ULK1 (Ser758) detection reagents were added. The HTRF signal was recorded after an overnight incubation.

Autophagy upregulation in HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells using the PI3K inhibitor Wortmannin

HEK293 cells were plated at 50,000 cells/well in a 96-well plate, and incubated for 24h at 37°C, 5% CO2. After treatment for 5 hours with increasing concentrations of Wortmannin, the medium was removed and cells were lysed with 50 µL of supplemented lysis buffer #4 for 30 minutes at RT under gentle shaking. 16 µL of lysate were transferred into a 384-well low volume white microplate and 4 µL of the HTRF phospho-ULK1 (Ser758) detection reagents were added. The HTRF signal was recorded after an overnight incubation

Autophagy downregulation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using insulin

MCF-7 cells were plated at different cell densities in a 96-well plate and incubated for 24h at 37°C, 5% CO2. After a 3 hour serum-starvation step, cells were treated with 200 nM insulin for 30 minutes. The medium was then removed and cells were lysed with 50 µL of supplemented lysis buffer #4 for 30 minutes at RT under gentle shaking. 16 µL of lysate were transferred into a 384-well low volume white microplate and 4 µL of the HTRF phospho-ULK1 (Ser758) detection reagents were added. The HTRF signal was recorded after an overnight incubation.

Function and regulation of the ULK1 kinase complex

ULK1 is a Ser/Thr kinase which forms a complex with the Atg13 and FIP200 proteins. This complex is the most upstream component of the core autophagy machinery, and is therefore the key initiator of autophagy in mammalian cells. ULK1 is regulated by the key nutrient/energy-sensitive kinases mTOR and AMPK, which are both able to phosphorylate ULK1 and directly regulate its kinase activity.