Enhancer trap
Enhancer trap
Enhancer trap (pronunciation: /ɛnˈhænsər træp/) is a genetic technique used in molecular biology to study gene expression and function.
Etymology
The term "enhancer trap" is derived from the two main components of the technique: "enhancer", a sequence of DNA that increases the likelihood of transcription of a particular gene, and "trap", which refers to the method of capturing or identifying these sequences.
Definition
An enhancer trap is a construct, often a transposable element, that includes a reporter gene lacking a promoter. The reporter gene can only be transcribed if the construct inserts itself near an enhancer in the genome. This allows researchers to identify the location of enhancers in the genome and study their function.
Method
The enhancer trap method involves the use of a reporter gene, such as lacZ or GFP, which is placed downstream of a minimal promoter. This construct is then inserted into the genome of an organism, often a Drosophila or a zebrafish. If the construct inserts near an enhancer, the reporter gene will be expressed, allowing researchers to identify the cells in which the enhancer is active.
Related Terms
- Reporter gene: A gene that researchers attach to a regulatory sequence of another gene of interest in bacteria, cell culture, animals or plants.
- Transposable element: A DNA sequence that can change its position within a genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell's genetic identity and genome size.
- Drosophila: A genus of flies, often used in genetic studies, including enhancer trap experiments.
- Zebrafish: A tropical freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family. It is a popular model organism in scientific research for studies of vertebrate development and gene function.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Enhancer trap
- Wikipedia's article - Enhancer trap
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