Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42656794›Full record

ArticleBio-protocol2026

A Luciferase-Based Assay for Assessing Cap-Independent Translation in Wheat Germ Extract.

Max Cortot, Thorsten Stehlik, Aline Koch, Timo Schlemmer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Bio-protocol, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Max CortotDepartment of Plant Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Thorsten StehlikPromega GmbH, Walldorf, Germany.
Aline KochDepartment of Plant Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Timo SchlemmerDepartment of Plant Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Efficient protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells typically requires a 5' cap structure on messenger RNAs (mRNAs). However, under stress conditions or in viral infection, translation can also occur independently of the cap via internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES). IRES elements are therefore key regulators of protein expression in both viral and cellular contexts. Here, we describe a cell-free protocol to quantitatively assess cap-independent translation using wheat germ extract (WGE) and a firefly luciferase (FLuc) reporter. The protocol includes template preparation, RNA synthesis, and luminescence measurement following in vitro translation in WGE. This method enables rapid and robust comparison of translation activity under controlled conditions and can additionally be applied to evaluate mRNA modifications designed to enhance translation efficiency. Key features • Stringent in vitro workflow from DNA template preparation through RNA synthesis and protein synthesis to reporter readout, including quality controls. • Evaluation of cap-independent translation suitable for testing combinations of IRES and CDS. • Translation analysis without radioactive labeling.

Indexed as

Cap-independent translationFirefly luciferase reporterInternal ribosomal entry siteIn vitro translationIRESmRNA modificationTranslation efficiencyWheat germ extract

Identifiers

PMID42656794
PMCPMC13507978

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.