title: Bioluminescence assays: multicolor luciferase assay, secreted luciferase assay and imaging luciferase assay.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  By selecting the most appropriate bioluminescence assay, the researcher can study the underlying molecular mechanisms of a physiological system and the effects of a drug throughout the body.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review covers three luciferase assay systems: the multicolor luciferase assay, secreted luciferase assay and imaging luciferase assay. These assays are applied to drug screening in vitro, in cellulo and in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Different solutions for reporter assay in vitro, in cellulo and in vivo are presented. A suitable bioluminescence system depending on the assay purpose is also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bioluminescence is a manifold system based on the different types of luciferin and its luciferase. Namely, luciferin catalyzed by corresponding luciferases resulted in the production of different color lights. We must understand the manifold mechanisms of bioluminescence reaction.
authors: Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ikeda, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Nakajima
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Ohmiya