Reporter gene
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In molecular biology, a reporter gene (often simply reporter) is a gene that researchers attach to another they wish to study in cell culture, animals or plants. Many of the techniques used for engineering a foreign or modifed gene into an organism work only in a very small percentage of individuals. Researchers use a reporter to easily identify those that have taken up the gene, or which have incorporated it in the desired way into their chromosomes. A common reporter is the gene that encodes jellyfish green fluorescent protein, which causes cells that express it to glow green under UV light. Another important reporter codes for an enzyme luciferase, which catalyzes a reaction with a luciferin to produce light.
Reporter genes are often placed downstream of the promoter region and in the proximity of the gene of interest to ensure that they are expressed together and not separated by crossover events.
Alternatively, reporters may be placed in a vector that may exist independently of the chromosomes or may be used to incorporate the gene. Promoter responsiveness can be tested by cloning the promoter sequence into a vector containing a reporter gene. The gene product is then analyzed to quantify the promoter activity.
One practical example of reporter gene use is in two-hybrid screening.