title: An artifact in studies of gene regulation using β-galactosidase reporter gene assays.
abstract: Reporter gene assays are important tools for evaluating gene expression. A frequently used assay measures the activity of β-galactosidase (β-gal) expressed from lacZ in plasmid or genomic constructions. Such constructions are often used to interrogate the ability of DNA (query DNA), potentially encoding a transcription factor, to regulate in trans the expression of a promoter fused to the reporter lacZ. Query DNA is frequently inserted into a second plasmid within the α-subunit of β-gal, interrupting its function. However, this plasmid can induce up-expression of β-gal even when void of query DNA, leading to confusion between artifact and authentic regulation.
authors: Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia para la Vida and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Lefimil
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Jedlicki
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Holmes
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D007763:Lac Operon; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020560:Proteobacteria; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001616:beta-Galactosidase