Reporter Gene Application in Diagnostic Assay: Review

The livestock populations of Ethiopia's are more than 270 millions excluding fishes. They have paramount economic and social importance. They contribute 15 to17 percent of GDP which is incomparable to their numbers. Reporter gene assay is an invaluable tool for clinical medicine, patho-physiology, environmental health, biomedical and pharmaceutical researches to monitor cellular events associated with diagnostic assay, gene expression, regulation and signal transduction. The development of bioreporters in diagnostic assay was solving limitation of other molecular diagnostic tests. On the basis of the alternations in reporter gene activities mediated by attaching response elements to these reporter genes, one sensitive, reliable and convenient assay can be provided to efficiently report the activation of particular messenger cascades and their effects on gene expression and regulations inside cells or living subjects. The evaluation of current status for commonly used reporter genes in diagnostic assays such as chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, alkaline phosphates, - galactosidase, luciferases, green fluorescent protein and -lactamase. This synergy will make it possible to understand the roles of reporter gene in diagnostic application.