Demonstration of the utility of a dual-color luciferase reporter in S. cerevisiae

Abstract

A reporter gene helps determine the regulation of a gene of interest by producing a protein product that can be easily detected when the gene of interest is active. The luciferase gene from click beetles can be used as a reporter because its protein product emits light that can be measured. Monitoring transcription by luciferase activity is hampered in fast growing organisms due to sudden changes in oxygen concentration and cell number as these variables also affect light emission. This study uses green luciferase to report transcription of a gene of interest and red luciferase to simultaneously report activity of a reference gene. The ratio of these colors can (i) mitigate sudden changes in rapid growth conditions, and (ii) be used to predict productivity of the cell population during processes such as the Yeast Respiratory Oscillation. We envision this tool to provide valuable insights into genetic control in S. cerevisiae.