Reporter genes

• Operon and gene fusions
  • Differences between operon and gene fusions
  • Use of fusions to distinguish Transcriptional vs translational regulation

• Use of fusions to identify genes regulated by particular environmental conditions
  • IVET and RIVET
  • Signature tagged mutagenesis (STM)
  • GAMBIT

• Use of fusions to identify Protein-protein interactions

• Use of fusions to study protein localization
  • PhoA gene fusions
  • GFP gene fusions (see Phillips G. 2001. Green fluorescent protein--a bright idea for the study of bacterial protein localization. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 204: 9-18)

SOME USEFUL GENERAL REVIEWS ON REPORTER GENES:

• Chiang SL, Mekalanos JJ, Holden DW. 1999. In vivo genetic analysis of bacterial virulence. Annu Rev Microbiol. 53: 129-154.
• Daunert S, Barrett G, Feliciano J, Shetty R, Shrestha S, Smith-Spencer W. 2000. Genetically engineered whole-cell sensing systems: coupling biological recognition with reporter genes. Chem Rev 100: 2705-2738

A USEFUL LINK:

• For a nice overview of reporter genes, see the Microbial genes for monitoring microbial cell activity report (pdf file).