EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Not only do vectors provide the reporter gene, but may also have multiple cloning sites, promoters, response elements, polyadenylation sequences, mammalian selectable markers or other sequence elements that help with expression and selection. Reporter vectors are critical for success in reporter assays.

Detailed explanation-2: -What Makes For a Good Reporter Gene? It should encode a protein whose activity can be easily detected with high sensitivity over any endogenous gene activity. Ideally, the reporter gene is not expressed endogenously at all.

Detailed explanation-3: -Reporter genes are those genes that when introduced into target cells (e.g., brain tissues, cancer, and circulating white cells) produce a protein receptor or enzyme that binds, transports, or traps a subsequently injected imaging probe.

Detailed explanation-4: -Common reporter genes Commonly used reporter genes that induce visually identifiable characteristics usually involve fluorescent and luminescent proteins.

Detailed explanation-5: -Common reporter genes include beta-galactosidase, luciferase, beta-lactamase, alkaline phosphatase and GFP (green fluorescence protein). Luminescence, absorbance and fluorescence detection methods are used typically to measure expressed reporter gene protein.