In: Biology
how could you utilize a reporter gene to determine if a newly discovered regulatory gene is transcribed in the presence of tictactodose?
Answer: Reporter genes are used in molecular biology studies where researchers attach this gene sequence to a regulatory sequence of the gene of interest. The above mentioned newly discovered regulatory gene might be a promoter sequence. The reporter genes usually attached downstream to the regulatory gene, its activity is measured by monitoring expression of the reporter gene. The reporter gene transcribed under the control of this regulatory promoter gene. This way we can study the strength of the promoter gene sequence. If the expression of the reporter gene is high then the promoter is strong and if the expression is low then the promoter is weak. The expression of reporter genes is considered as selective markers of gene expression. These marker genes either possess fluorescent or luminescent characteristics. The endogenous expression of the reporter gene must be at a low level or nil.