Loss-of-function studies are fundamental for dissecting gene function. Yet, methods
to rapidly and effectively perturb genes in mammalian cells, and particularly in
stem cells, are scarce. Here we present a system for simultaneous conditional
regulation of two different proteins in the same mammalian cell. This system
harnesses the plant auxin and jasmonate hormone-induced degradation pathways, and is
deliverable with only two lentiviral vectors. It combines RNAi-mediated silencing of
two endogenous proteins with the expression of two exogenous proteins whose
degradation is induced by external ligands in a rapid, reversible, titratable and
independent manner. By engineering molecular tuners for NANOG, CHK1, p53 and NOTCH1
in mammalian stem cells, we have validated the applicability of the system and
demonstrated its potential to unravel complex biological processes.
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