Incorporation of reporter genes into mitochondrial DNA in budding yeast

Many aspects of mitochondrial gene expression are still unknown, which can be attributed to limitations in molecular tools. Here, we present a protocol to introduce reporter genes into the mitochondrial genome of budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitochondrially encoded reporter constructs can be used to interrogate various aspects of mitochondrial gene expression. The power of this technique is exemplified by a mitochondrially encoded nanoluciferase, which allows to monitor levels of mitochondrial translation under a variety of growth conditions.