Reporter enzymes for the study of promoter activity

This article describes the use of three reporter enzymes used to study promoter activity in transgenic animals. Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase may be assayed by a nonchromatographic method that is rapid and sensitive. beta-Galactosidase is measured by a photometric assay and luciferase is assayed by measuring the emission of light using a luminometer. The relative merits of each enzyme is discussed. The use of reporter enzymes provides a rapid and sensitive method for analysis of transgene expression.