The ternary complex factor (TCF) Elk-1 is a transcription factor that is associated with a dimer of serum response factor (SRF) at the SRE site, and its phosphorylation occurs at specific residues in response to mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERKs/MAPKs), including c-Jun-N terminal kinase (JNK) and p38/MAPK pathway.  Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor stimulation results in nuclear accumulation of activated ERK, where it binds to and phosphorylates Elk-1, phosphorylation of Elk-1 increases its transcriptional activity, leading to the transcription of growth-related proteins, most notably c-Fos. Signosis has launched ELK luciferase Reporter HEK293 stable cell line to monitor ERKs/MAPKs pathway.

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Signosis has developed ELK luciferase reporter HEK293 stable cell line by co-transfecting ELK luciferase reporter vector with three repeats of ELK DNA binding element and hygromycin expression vector.  The hygromycin resistant clones were subsequently screened for EGF-induced luciferase activity. The cell line can be used as a reporter system for monitoring ELK activation triggered by stimuli treatment.