Comparative qRT-PCR analysis of IL-2 gene activation using TBP-TALE and VP64-TALE activators in 293FT cells. (A) TALE-IL2B or (B) TALE-IL2D fused to VP64 (white bars, B or D) or TBP (shaded bars, B’ or D’) was co-transfected with the indicated VP64-TALEs (indicated as A, C, or F) in combinations of two, three or four as described in Methods. Results are shown as fold change in IL-2 gene expression relative to empty vector control. (C) Comparative ELISA analysis of secreted IL-2 protein using the indicated TALE activators. Combinations of four TALE activators were used to induce IL-2 protein expression. Data shown is the amount of secreted IL-2 protein in 30-fold concentrated samples. Results shown for qRT-PCR and ELISA are from three independent experiments and error bars are mean +/− SD (n = 3). N.D., not detected. Statistical analysis determined using one-tailed, paired t-test (P<0.0005***, P<0.005**, and P<0.05 *).