Question

What is a “promoter-reporter gene fusion” and how is this technique used to understand gene function in plant biology?

Answer 1

Promoter-reporter genes fusion is a fusion technique utilised to determine DNA sequences which are responsible for transcription regulation within a promoter region. This technique is widely used in plants to identify sequences that control the temporal and spatial regulation of cloned genes.

In this technique, a gene is cloned containing promoter region, and the cloned gene is then disintegrated into fragments by using suitable restriction enzymes. Promoter region is then ligated into a plasmid (having aa promoter-less reporter gene), recombinants are selected and used to transform the host. Various assays are then conducted to find reporter gene activity.