luciferasereporter

Luciferasereporter refers to a luciferase-based genetic reporter system used to quantify transcriptional or post-transcriptional events. In these systems, a luciferase gene is placed under the control of a promoter or regulatory element of interest, and its enzymatic activity reflects the activity of that element.

The enzyme catalyzes oxidation of a substrate, producing light measured by a luminometer. Firefly luciferase uses D-luciferin, while Renilla luciferase uses coelenterazine. In dual-luciferase assays, two different luciferases with distinct substrates are used to normalize transfection efficiency and cell viability.

Luciferase reporters have become standard tools for assessing promoter activity, signaling pathway responses, and high-throughput drug screens. They are used in mammalian cell lines, yeast, plants, and in vivo models such as mice and zebrafish, enabling real-time monitoring of biological processes.

Advantages include high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, ease of use, and compatibility with longitudinal studies in living cells. Limitations involve substrate delivery, background luminescence, and potential variation in expression or maturation that can affect quantitative readouts.

Related topics include luciferase, reporter gene assays, and dual-luciferase systems.