Β-Lactamase: an ideal reporter system for monitoring gene expression in live eukaryotic cells. (January 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qureshi, Sohail A.
• Is Part Of: Biotechniques. Volume 42:Number 1(2007)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2007-01
• Subjects: Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental; Medical technology; Molecular biology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Medical Laboratory Science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 570
• DOI: 10.2144/000112292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-6205

Abstract

To gain insightful information about the mechanisms through which genes are activated and repressed requires gene reporter systems that are sensitive, robust, and cost-effective. Although numerous reporter gene technologies are commercially available, none are as sophisticated and user-friendly as β-lactamase (BLA) when it comes to studying gene expression in live cells. This article presents an overview of the BLA technology and describes how it can be exploited for studying rare events such as homologous recombination in somatic cells and be used to deliver any DNA sequence of choice anywhere within the genome.