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Published on: May 5, 2010
PET imaging of gene expression
1Departments of Neurology and Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. blasberg@neuro1.mskcc.org
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|October 22, 2002
Summary
Noninvasive molecular imaging uses reporter genes and probes to visualize biological processes in vivo. This technology allows for tracking gene expression and cellular activity, with potential for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular imaging
- Biomedical engineering
- Gene expression analysis
Background:
- Noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging has advanced significantly, utilizing nuclear (PET, gamma camera), MRI, and optical systems.
- Current strategies often employ an "indirect" approach, linking reporter genes with complementary reporter probes.
- Probe accumulation indirectly reflects reporter gene expression levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging strategies.
- To discuss the application of reporter gene systems for monitoring biological processes.
- To explore challenges in translating molecular imaging to clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing reporter gene constructs (constitutive or inducible) driven by promoter/enhancer elements.
- Employing complementary reporter probes for signal detection.
- Applying Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging for visualizing biological processes in animal models.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated examples of imaging endogenous biological processes, including p53-dependent gene expression and T-cell receptor-dependent T-lymphocyte activation.
- Reporter gene systems can monitor gene (vector) activity, control gene expression, or sense endogenous promoters and transcription factors.
- Accumulation of radiolabeled probes in PET imaging provides insights into reporter gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Noninvasive molecular imaging with reporter gene systems offers powerful tools for studying biological processes in vivo.
- The technology shows promise for applications such as monitoring gene therapy and understanding disease mechanisms.
- Addressing challenges is crucial for the successful clinical translation of these advanced imaging techniques.
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02:11Reporter Genes
Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.
Commonly used reporter...
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