Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Types of Imaging Reporter Genes
- Part II Enhancing Reporter Gene Imaging Techniques
- 5 Multimodality Imaging of Reporter Genes
- 6 Cell-Specific Imaging of Reporter Gene Expression Using a Two-Step Transcriptional Amplification Strategy
- Part III Imaging Instrumentations
- Part IV Current Applications of Imaging Reporter Genes
- Index
- References
5 - Multimodality Imaging of Reporter Genes
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Types of Imaging Reporter Genes
- Part II Enhancing Reporter Gene Imaging Techniques
- 5 Multimodality Imaging of Reporter Genes
- 6 Cell-Specific Imaging of Reporter Gene Expression Using a Two-Step Transcriptional Amplification Strategy
- Part III Imaging Instrumentations
- Part IV Current Applications of Imaging Reporter Genes
- Index
- References
Summary
INTRODUCTION
Reporter genes (RGs), an integral part of molecular imaging, have become essential tools for studying biology in living subjects noninvasively. Currently, molecular imaging techniques can be broadly classified into five categories based on the spectrum and source of energy used for detection. These are optical imaging (fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging), radionuclide imaging (positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), X-ray computed tomography imaging (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) imaging. Excluding CT and US, a variety of reporter genes have been developed for the remaining three categories, which can be used to study specific biological processes (such as promoter activation, transcription, translation, protein–protein interaction) and monitor disease progression and therapy (Figure 5.1). Reporter genes therefore are also categorized into different groups based on their usage for different imaging techniques.
REPORTER GENES
Optical Reporter Genes
By definition, an optical reporter protein can emit light in the visible range (300 nm–600 nm) either by interacting with specific substrates (luminescence) or by being excited with light of specific wavelength (fluorescence). The emitted light can then be captured in a sensitive charge coupled device (CCD) camera and presented as an optical signature. Both luminescence and fluorescence reporter genes have advantages and disadvantages that carry over to their in vivo imaging instrumentation and their application to noninvasive imaging. The luminescent reporter genes are commonly known as luciferases. Luciferase proteins (translated from luciferase genes) were originally isolated from different beetles, bacteria, and marine organisms.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Molecular Imaging with Reporter Genes , pp. 113 - 126Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010
References
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