Monitoring the transcriptional activity of FOXO transcription factors by analyzing their target genes

Abstract

FOXO proteins represent a subfamily of transcription factors that belong to the forkhead family. The study of FOXO target genes can be performed using Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR). The RT-PCR is a sensitive method that allows the detection and quantification of minute amounts of nucleic acids. In RT-PCR the accumulation of the amplicon is detected and measured as the reaction progresses. Here, we describe the application of RT-PCR technique to monitor the transcriptional activity of FOXO transcription factors.