Reporter Gene Systems: A Powerful Tool for Studies

Overview

Journal Curr Res Microb Sci

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2022 Dec 15

PMID 36518162

Authors

Romario Lopes Boy

Ahyun Hong

Juliana Ide Aoki

Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter

Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Protozoan parasites of the genus are responsible for leishmaniases, one of the most important anthropozoonotic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. To date, there are no approved vaccines against leishmaniases for humans. At present, available treatment options lack specificity, which may lead to drug resistance and often cause adverse effects. Genomic analysis of spp. revealed that most of the annotated genes encode hypothetical proteins, yet the functions of those proteins are still unknown. Characterization of these proteins is, hence, of utmost importance for the discovery of new therapeutic targets against leishmaniases. Reporter gene systems, or reporters, are powerful tools that enable the detection and measurement of targeted gene expression when introduced to a biological system. Over the years, numerous expression systems containing various reporters have been employed in characterizing several novel genes essential for parasite development. Such systems can be used to predict the subcellular localization of targeted proteins, screen antileishmanial drugs, and monitor the progression of infection within the vector and vertebrate hosts, among other uses. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend the available reporter gene expression systems to choose the most suitable for each study.

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