Molecular Genetics

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• Reporter genes are nucleic acid sequences encoding easily assayed proteins. They are used to replace other coding regions whose protein products are difficult to assay.
• Among the more commonly used reporter genes are those for the following proteins:

• Reporter genes can be attached to other sequences so that only the reporter protein is made or so that the reporter protein is fused to another protein (fusion protein).
• Reporter genes can "report" many different properties and events:
  • the strength of promoters, whether native or modified for reverse genetics studies;
  • the efficiency of gene delivery systems;
  • the intracellular fate of a gene product, a result of protein traffic;
  • interaction of two proteins in the two-hybrid system or of a protein and a nucleic acid in the one-hybrid system;
  • the efficiency of translation initiation signals; and
  • the success of molecular cloning efforts.

Further Information

• Fusion proteins can also be used in purification of the protein.