Binary expression systems have revolutionised genetic research by enabling delivery of loss-of-function and gain-of-function transgenes with precise spatial-temporal resolution in vivo. However, at present, each existing platform relies on a defined exogenous transcription activator capable of binding a unique recognition sequence. Consequently, none of these technologies alone can be used to simultaneously target different tissues or cell types in the same organism. Here, we report a modular system based on programmable transcription activator-like effector (TALE) proteins, which enables parallel expression of multiple transgenes in spatially distinct tissues in vivo. Using endogenous enhancers coupled to TALE drivers, we demonstrate multiplexed orthogonal activation of several transgenes carrying cognate variable activating sequences (VAS) in distinct neighbouring cell types of the Drosophila central nervous system. Since the number of combinatorial TALE–VAS pairs is virtually unlimited, this platform provides an experimental framework for highly complex genetic manipulation studies in vivo.

A new general method is proposed for quantifying ligand-receptor interactions using the biological response induced by the ligand as an index of ligand binding. With this method the binding of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), several hCG derivatives, and luteinizing hormone (LH) to rat Leydig cells was measured by analysis of the ability of these materials to stimulate testosterone formation. As applied here, hormone dose-response curves were generated in the presence of increasing numbers of cells incubated in vitro in a successful attempt to alter the concentrations of bound and free hormone in the incubation mixture. Measurements of testosterone synthesis as a function of the total amounts of hormone and numbers of cells enabled us to evaluate the concentrations of both bound and free hormone at any constant fractional response (i.e. quarter-, half-, or three-quarter-maximal). We were thus able to measure hormone binding at the extremely low hormone concentrations (1 pM) within the steroidogenic dose-response range under conditions that would not have been possible using currently available radioiodinated hCG preparations. The results obrained confirmed the presence of spare functional receptors. Specific quantitative results are discussed in the text.