title: Watch out for reporter gene assays with Renilla luciferase and paclitaxel.
abstract: Luminescence-based reporter gene assays are widely used in biochemistry. Signals from reporter genes (e.g., firefly luminescence) are usually normalized to signals from constantly luminescing luciferases such as Renilla luciferase. This normalization step can be performed by modern luminometry devices automatically providing final results. Here we demonstrate paclitaxel to strikingly enhance Renilla luminescence, thereby potentially flawing results from reporter gene assays. In consequence, these data advocate for careful examination of raw data and militate against automatic data processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Theile
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spalwisz
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049410:Luciferases, Renilla / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049449:Luminescence; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077297:Pregnane X Receptor; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D012293:Rifampin; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000077297:Pregnane X Receptor; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D049410:Luciferases, Renilla; D017239:Paclitaxel; D012293:Rifampin