A reporter gene assay is a common and widely utilized molecular technique for measurement of gene expression. The ability to monitor the regulatory activity of a target gene through its DNA sequence is often designed as follows: A target gene promoter sequence or response element is linked to a detectable reporter gene. Such a reporter gene may encode an enzyme like SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase) or Luciferase, or a fluorescent protein such as GFP, and allows relative and/or specific contribution of target gene participation as a regulatory element in the reporter gene assay. Because of it's speed, dynamic range and sensitivity and use of relatively inexpensive ELISA, luminescent or fluorescent read-out instruments, a reporter gene assays is an invaluable tool for the study of regulatory pathways.

SEAP Assay
Secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) is the reporter gene used in IMGENEX SEAPorter™ Assay Kits and SEAPorter™ Cell Lines. Linking NF-kB response elements to SEAP gene allows quantitative measurement of NF-kB activation by enzymatic assay techniques.

Luciferase Assay
The new IL-17A LUCPorter™ Cell Line together with LightSwitch™ Luciferase Assay Reagent from SwitchGear Genomics form a complete luciferase assay read-out system for studying the molecular signals and relative impact role of IL-17A in autoimmune models. The LightSwitch™ Luciferase Assay Reagent enables one-step reagent addition to measure luciferase reporter signal.