Abstract: The disclosure provides a nucleic acid comprising a response element operably linked to a reporter nucleotide sequence. In various embodiments, the response element comprises from 2 to 10 copies of a Z1 transcription factor binding site. Cells comprising the nucleic acid also are provided. In various aspects, the cells stably overexpress an adeno-associated virus receptor. The disclosure further provides a method of determining the potency of a sample comprising AAV vectors.