Editing Reporter gene (section)

{{short description|Technique in molecular biology}}
{{Missing information|the history of the subject|date=January 2012}}

[[Image:Reporter gene.png|thumb|295px|A diagram of a how a reporter gene is used to study a regulatory sequence.]]
Reporter genes are molecular tools widely used in [[molecular biology]], [[genetics]], and [[biotechnology]] to study gene function, expression patterns, and regulatory mechanisms. These genes encode proteins that produce easily detectable signals, such as [[fluorescence]], [[luminescence]], or enzymatic activity, allowing researchers to monitor cellular processes in real-time. Reporter genes are often fused to [[regulatory sequence]]s of genes of interest, enabling scientists to analyze promoter activity, transcriptional regulation, and [[signal transduction]] pathways. Common '''reporter gene''' systems include [[green fluorescent protein]] (GFP), [[Β-Galactosidase|β-galactosidase]] (lacZ), [[luciferase]], and [[chloramphenicol acetyltransferase]] (CAT), each offering distinct advantages depending on the experimental application.<ref name=":5">{{Citation |last1=Debnath |first1=Mousumi |title=Reporter Gene |date=2010 |work=Molecular Diagnostics: Promises and Possibilities |pages=71–84 |editor-last=Debnath |editor-first=Mousumi |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-90-481-3261-4_5 |access-date=2025-04-04 |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-90-481-3261-4_5 |isbn=978-90-481-3261-4 |last2=Prasad |first2=Godavarthi B.K.S. |last3=Bisen |first3=Prakash S. |editor2-last=Prasad |editor2-first=Godavarthi B.K.S. |editor3-last=Bisen |editor3-first=Prakash S.|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Their versatility makes reporter genes invaluable in fields such as drug discovery, [[gene therapy]], and [[synthetic biology]].<ref name=":5" />